moondog files

8/11/2019 Moondog Files

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THE VIKING OF 6TH

AVENUE


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P. M. (obviously a newspaper from New York) January 19, 1945

Natalie Davis

The Man with the 'Face of Christ'

everal weeks a!o, "urin! a businessvisi# #o a P$il$armoni% re$earsal a#&arne!ie $all, we no#i%e" an ama'in!lookin! man si##in! in #$e 5. row of #$e"arkene" au"i#orium. e was lis#enin!#o r#ur *o"'inski, #$e %on"u%#or,pu##in! #$e or%$es#ra #$rou!$ #$e

pa%es.+$e soli#ary lis#ener mi!$# $ave s#eppe"ou# of #$e pa!es of #$e ible. is fa%ewas lon!, pale, as%e#i%, $is %$eek boneswere $i!$. +$e $airs of $is flowin!brown bear" !lis#ene" in #$e weaks#a!e li!$#. is lon! #$i%k $air was #ie"in a kno# a# #$e ba%k. is eyeli"s weresunken $ollows. (-a#er, we learne" $ewas %omple#ely blin".) e was wearin!a loose brown blouse, w$ose fol"s were%omfor#ably se##le" abou# $im.

Mystery

e aske" #$e P$il$armoni%/s pressa!en# w$o #$is man was. $e replie"#$a# $e was 0a mys#erious musi% lover,0befrien"e" by #$e *o"'inskis. $ea""e" #$a# $is name was -ouie ar"in,

#$a# $e never misse" a P$il$armoni% re$earsal, an"#$a# we s$oul" see Mrs. *o"'inski if we wis$e" moreinforma#ion abou# $im.n $er spa%ious, 2i%#orian $ome a# 3 as# 4#$ #.,%$armin!, !ray$aire" Mrs. *o"'inski #ol" us #$a# $er

$usban" $a" %ome $ome one "ay more #$an a yeara!o 0very impresse"0. 0+o"ay,0 $e #ol" $er, 0 $a" a


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!rea# s$o%k. saw a person wi#$ #$e fa%e of &$ris#.0e $a" no#i%e" -ouie ar"in s#an"in! a# an en#ran%e #o &arne!ie all, an" aske" $im $o $e wasan" w$a# $e wis$e". -ouie sai" $e was a %omposer w$o $a" 6us# %ome #o New York. ll $e wis$e"was permission #o lis#en #o P$il$armoni% re$earsals. *o"'inski invi#e" $im #o a##en" #$em any #ime.

Raised Fund

very "ay, af#er #$a#, -ouie woul" appear a# re$earsals. e brou!$# $is lun%$ wi#$ $im an" sa#lis#enin! for $ours a# a #ime. oon $e be%ame frien"ly wi#$ some of #$e men in #$e or%$es#ra. +$eysaw #$a# $is lun%$ ba! was !e##in! smaller, an" #$ey raise" a fun" #o $elp $im.

Moon"o! &olle!e Yearbook P$o#o0e makes a li##le money mo"elin! a# ar# s%$ools an" makin!lea#$er bel#s,0 sai" Mrs. *o"'inski. 0u# $e "oesn/# $ave mu%$. e/s a $appy person. e en6oys $isway of life. n" $e is no# %on7uere" by $is #ra!e"y. +$e o#$er "ay #$e boys of #$e or%$es#ra !ave asurprise par#y for my $usban" $ere, a# our $ome. n #$e mi""le, -ouie walke" in. e $a" %ome $ereby $imself, remarkably enou!$0.0e likes lookin! like a be!!ar an" bein! #rea#e" like one. e en6oys bein! pi%#ures7ue. e !ave $im


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a win#er over%oa# bu# $e won/# !o aroun" #$e s#ree#s lookin! like anyone else. e insis#s uponwearin! a lon! monk/s %ape an" $oo".0+$e ne8# "ay re"eri%k :immermann, w$o plays "ouble;bass wi#$ #$e or%$es#ra, in#ro"u%e" us #o-ouie af#er re$earsal. e was wearin! #$e same flowin! brown s$ir# we $a" seen $im in before, an"a brown ker%$ief kno##e" abou# $is ne%k was "e%ora#e" by a silver %$ain from w$i%$ $un! an n"ianarrow$ea". is pan#s were or"inary an" olive;%olore". is s$oes were a normal #an lea#$er mo"el.

e sai" we/" like #o #alk #o $im in #$e room w$ere $e live" an" $e s#oo" up an" s#ru!!le" #o !e# in#o$is bla%k over%oa#. e was #all ; a# leas# si8 fee# ; an" $is %oa# was bulky. No sooner "i" $e $ave i#

on #$an $e rea%$e" for $is brown monk/s %ape an""rape" #$a# over #$e %oa#. +$en $e fel# for $is walkin!s#i%k, an" slippe" $is arm #$rou!$ ours. :immermanne8%use" $imself, an" we walke" briskly off alon! #$esi"ewalk. -ouie never $esi#a#e".f#er a few minu#es $e remarke" in $is sof#, slowvoi%e, in w$i%$ you %oul" "e#e%# a fain# sou#$erna%%en#, #$a# i# was %ol", an" $e lif#e" #$e $oo" of $ismonk/s %ape from $is s$oul"ers an" se##le" i# on $is$ea". veryone we passe" alon! #$e s#ree# s#oppe" #o

s#are an" won"er w$a# su%$ a #all, %loake", $oo"e"an" bear"e" an%$ori#e was "oin! on 5


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#$e skyli!$# open all #$e #ime.0# was %ol", an" i# was small, abou# #$e si'e of a lar!e %lose#. +$ere was a pa""e" sleepin! ba! on#$e floor.-ouie sense" #$a# we were lookin! a# #$e ba!. 0 #$rew ou# #$e be",0 $e #ol" us. 0 !o# some woolan" ma"e #$is ba!. wis$ %oul" sleep on some roof in i#, really, i#/s !oo" #o sleep #$a# way.0

Composes on Organ

0+$is,0 $e wen# on, poin#in!, 0is my li##le or!an. #/s %overe" wi#$ %anvas be%ause of #$e "ir# #$a#pours in #$rou!$ #$e skyli!$#. use i# for %omposin!.0+$e =r!an an" #$e sleepin! ba! %onsume" #wo;#$ir" of #$e room spa%e. +$e remain"er was %lu##ere"wi#$ %ra#es an" raille books. #iny ele%#ri% s#ove an" a pa%ka!e of >leene8 res#e" on one %ra#e.e aske" $ow $e a#e. ?i" $e %ook on $is li##le s#ove@0ome#imes %ook porri"!e in #$e mornin!s,0 $e sai". 0Mos#ly, #$ou!$, ea# raw ve!e#ables an"frui# an" bla%k brea".0$a# par# of #$e %oun#ry "i" $e %ome from@ 0 was born in >ansas an" live" in many "ifferen#s#a#es,0 $e answere". 0My fa#$er was an pis%opal minis#er.0e ran $is $an" alon! $is sleepin! ba! an" #urne" $is $ea" away. 0/m A now,0 $e sai", 0/ve been

blin" ever sin%e was 1


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e s7ua##e" on #$e sleepin! ba! a!ain an" lau!$e". 0 am !oin! #o wri#e musi%,0 $e replie". 0/m!on! #o wri#e my fool $ea" off.0 ?i" $e see many people@ ?i" $e $ave plen#y of frien"s@0=$, yes, mee# people all #$e #ime.0 e #$rew ba%k $is $ea" a!ain an" lau!$e". 0/m somew$a# of awolf. know many women. u# my life is lonely.0e s#oo" up #o !o, an" $e s#oo" up, #oo. s we walke" "own #$e fli!$# of s#aurs we aske" w$a# $isfavouri#e pie%e of musi% was.

0Mo'ar#/s D minor ymp$ony,0 $e sai" imme"ia#ely.$y@e pause" on #$e s#eps. 0# seems #o me a perfe%# blen" of #$e %lassi% an" roman#i% i"eal.0?i" $e wis$ some#imes $e $a" been born in an%ien# or me"ieval #imes w$ere $e %oul" fin" roman%e@0No,0 $e sai" earnes#ly. 0You %an be yourself in any a!e. You "on/# $ave #o follow #$e $er".0

(unknown newspaper of 1949, al# -ake &i#y@)

Blind Songster Visits Salt Lake City Thursday

lin" -ouis +. ar"in, 0#$e man in #$e s7uare %lo#$es0 w$o arrive" inal# -ake &i#y +$urs"ay, belon!s #o no spe%ial reli!ious !roup or %ul#.e is a son! wri#er.Mr. ar"in wears $is s7uare !armen#s an" !oes barefoo# be%ause $ebelieves #$a# un"er #$e ri!$#s es#ablis$e" by our &ons#i#u#ion $e %an"ress as $e pleases. e fas$ions $is simple %lo#$es $imself, bu# #$eyare all s7uare, in%lu"in! $is earrin!sE an" be%ause $e is blin", $efin"s i# %onvenien# #o make #$em as simply as possible.Mr. ar"in is a %omposer, in#eres#e" mainly in wri#in! %lassi%al musi%.e !o# $is #rainin! a# #$e owa %$ool for #$e lin", an" s%$ools inrkansas, +ennessee, an" New York.

#u"ie" &on"u%#in!

n New York, as a !ues# of ?r. r#$ur *o"'inski, $e a##en"e" allre$earsals of #$e P$il$armoni% or%$es#ra, an" s#u"ie" %on"u%#in!un"er -eopol" us%$, firs# violinis# of #$e or%$es#ra.-a#es# work of #$e CC;year;ol" musi%ian is $is son! 0Moon"o!0, an"

of#en $e is ni%kname" 0Moon"o!0 $imself. Mr. ar"in sells $is musi% on s#ree# %orners #$rou!$ou# #$e%oun#ry, publis$in! $is musi% a# $is own e8pense.&urren#ly, $e is workin! on a new "an%e r$y#$m %alle" 0-/meri%ana0. ?es%ribe" by mily >elly,no#e" New York "an%er, as 0snakey0, $e $as use" 0nake +ime0 as a sub#i#le for #$e musi%. Musi% insnake #ime is ei#$er five or seven bea#s #o #$e bar, an" in #$ree spee"sF low snake, mo"era#e snake,an" fas# snake, Mr. ar"in e8plains.

Musi% in raille

0 %an wri#e any#$in! in raille musi% no#a#ion0, $e sai", 0bu# unless $ave a well;#raine" %opyis#, am sunk.0 Mu%$ of #$e %opy work for Mr. ar"in is "one by ?r. *i%$ar" M. illiams, %omposer,arran!er, an" pianis#.orn in >ansas in 191


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e %alls $imself 0Moon"o!0. si"ewalk "is% 6o%key, w$o s7ua#s every ni!$# in a 5An" s#ree# "oorwaybe#ween ei!$# an" si8 o/%lo%k #$e ne8# mornin! sellin! $is own re%or"s, playin! $is own musi% in #$elon!, lonely ni!$# on s#ran!e "rums, like a $ollow lo! or !our". bi! youn! man of C5, wi#$ !rea#"i!ni#y an" a s#ran!e name.

0#/s an n"ian name,0 $e says. 0$en #ook i#, i# 6us# mean# a "o! #$a# $owls a# #$e moon. -a#er learne" i# mean# an ar%#i% rainbow.0e %an only $owl a# #$e moon or a# a rainbow. e %an/# see #$em. e/s been blin" sin%e $e was 1


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symp$ony by $imself.is %$ief form of musi%al e8pression is #$e *oun", a s$or# pie%e se# #o a prose poem. e/s wri##en a#leas#


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#$e serious si"e as from #$e more s#u"ious of #$e e8#reme 0bop0 %ul#is#s, w$i%$ pleases Moon"o!%onsi"erably, for $e yearns #owar" nei#$er musi%al belief, preferrin! #o se# $is lea#$er san"als alon! aroa" of $is own "evisin!.Moon"o!s plays an appallin! varie#y of ins#rumen#s of $is own an" more %lassi%ally a%%ep#e" "esi!n.e %rea#e" $is per%ussion pie%es in #rian!ular s$ape be%ause s7uare ins#rumen#s, $e sai", warpE an"Moon"o! lives ou#"oors all #$e #ime. e sleeps on a


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Moon"o! !oes a s#ep fur#$er #$an a$be' in o#$er "ire%#ions. ns#ea" of merely wri#in! %omposi#ions,$e inven#s #$e ins#rumen#s on w$i%$ #o play #$emE an" ins#ea" of merely !e##in! Na# &ole #o re%or"for $im, $e %u#s $is own P for Mars, si!ns a %on#ra%# wi#$ &olumbia ; an" plays every ni!$# in #$e"ark %orners on #$e s#ree#s of New York.

Twenty*seven )eters

Moon"o! wri#es, $e says, in #wen#y;seven "ifferen# me#ers, ran!in! from 1H #o 9HA. # a !ivenmomen# you may fin" $im si##in! near #$e %orner of 4Cr" s#ree# an" i8#$ avenue, $is ri!$# $an"workin! on a "rum a# 3H4 w$ile $is lef# bea#s a CH #$eme on #$e oo.$a#/s an oo@ 0 $arp;like affair wi#$ a #rian!ular frame an" soun"in! boar"E i# %an be #une" anyway like $appen #o be pen#a#oni% a# #$e momen#, bu# %$an!e i# of#en. #/s playe" wi#$ %laves,usin! a #ee#er;#o##er;#e%$ni7ue #$a# !ives boun%eE mos#ly offbea# playin! a!ains# "rums onbea#playin!.0

Technical Talk

Moon"o! %an e8plain every#$in! $e plays an" wri#es in !rea# #e%$ni%al "e#ail. i##in! in #$e livin!;

room s#u"io of +ony %$war#', #$e s#ree#;roamin! youn! en!ineer w$ose ini#ia#ive in re%or"in!Moon"o! on #$e s#ree#s le" #o #$e Mars album, #ape;re%or"e" #$e s#ory of Moon"o! (nI -ouis+$omas ar"in) an" i# %ame ou# like #$isF0 was born C< years a!o in Marysville, >an., raise" mos#ly on ran%$es an" #ra"in! pos#s in yomin!.?rums were my prime %on%ern ever sin%e. was abou# 5, w$en %ame in %on#a%# wi#$ meri%ann"ians an" sa# in #$e lap of a #ribal %$ief name" Yellow;%ap w$o le# me play "urin! one of #$eir%eremonials.0 los# my si!$# w$en was 1


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franis#an, w$i%$ %an be !laviole#e" wi#$ ar#ifi%ial snerbs.$a# kin" of musi%al brew "oes Moon"o! %ook ou# of #$ese in!enious in!re"ien#s@ 0 %lin! #o #onali#y,#o #$e i"ea of simple %$orusE melo"y is absolu#ely essen#ial, an" /m s#ron! on r$y#$m. -ike #$eorien#als, feel #$a# mos# o%%i"en#al musi% is weir".0

Collier's! Se+te)4er! "#$8! +3 ""5

Moondog and his strange )usic

Village Voice! %uly :$! "#68! +3 " ; "ussy Cat


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aus H fromF ps#a#e Ma!a'ine, AA. ebruar 193B

Steve ?nowlton

0+state her)it! Manhattan co)+oser! 4lind Viking +oet! he's 333 Moondog


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ol"in! a spoonful of su!ar poise" over #$e %offee %up on #$e %oun#er, Mar%ella looke" up an" sai".0+wo su!ars an" a li##le milk, ri!$#@0 Moon"o! sa# in #$e boo#$ a# -ela/s *es#auran#, e8a%#ly ansas, in 191


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an" #$e insi"e of #$e by 1< foo# s$a%k is abou# i# for livin! spa%e. $en $e/s in New York, $e sleepsin "oorways, si"ewalks, anypla%e #$a#/s no# o%%upie" an" is ou# of #$e elemen#s.

Moon"o! an" u'uko on #$eir we""in!, 195A

0u# i#/s be##er now,0 $e says, 0-as# year a frien" w$o owns alea#$er s$op !ave me a key an" af#er #$e people leave a# ni!$#, %an !o in #$ere an" sleep on #$e floor.0 "o some %omposin! #$ere #oo, bu# i#/s $ar". f#er bein! ou#all "ay an" #$en !oin! insi"e w$ere i#/s so ni%e an" warm, !e#awfully sleepy,0 $e says, a li##le embarrasse".or years $e $as sa# #$ere kno%kin! ou# lyri%s an" musi% w$i%$is sai" #o soun" like early ?onovan. =r ra#$er, 0sin%e was firs#you s$oul" say ?onovan soun"s like me,0 says Moon"o! wi#$ a%$u%kle "own un"er $is bear".

u# $is real love is %lassi%al musi%. melo"y line %omes in on$im 0like an elusive bu##erfly an" you $ave #o wri#e i# "own #$enor i#/s almos# impossible #o re#rieve i# wi#$ou# i#s soun"in!s#raine".0+$e melo"y 0is #$e easy par#,0 $e says. 0+$en %omes #$e real

ni##y;!ri##y work of %omposin! ; 0#$e $ours an" weeks of wri#in! ou# #$e par#s #o #$e pie%e, for #$eper%ussions, woo"win"s, brass, s#rin!s, be%ause Moon"o! #$inks real musi% s$oul" be wri##en for fullor%$es#ras, no# #wo !ui#ars, an ele%#ri% bass an" "rums.

Moon"o!, Pier *ea"in!s, 19


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$is poin# an" supplan#s a re";#ippe" %ane. 0n" #$ink everyone else s$oul" be.+$e appearan%e, #$e s#yle are 0a personal e8pression, a rebellion a!ains# #$e bour!eois uniform, as %all i#, an" a rebellion a!ains# my paren#s, suppose, in #$a# or"er.0

Moon"o!, Pier *ea"in!s, 19


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Moon"o! an" musi%ians from #$e New York P$il$armoni% =r%$es#ra,

pe%#rum Dallery, May AB#$, 19


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if#y;ei!$#, fif#y;nine, si8#y. #op.0No, "on/# wai#. +$e bus mi!$# be la#e. # was las# #ime an" #$e roa"s are !e##in! ba" be#. You/"be##er be off.0e/s s#an"in! #$ere, #$e lea#$er sa%k on #$e !roun" besi"e $im. +en "ollars an" #wen#y %en#s #urne"in#o a one;way #i%ke# from =we!o #o New York &i#y.n #$e swirlin! snow an" sof# "arkness fol"in! in on $im, $e wai#s #$e spear in $is ri!$# $an", one

en" on #$e !roun". n en!ine rumbles.0s #$a# #$e bus@ No, 6us# a #ru%k. Never min". #/ll be alon! any minu#e0.

(alina 9od2inski&

ur two Lives! New ork "#@6(io!rap$y of $er $usban" r#ur *o"'inski)

p. A43;A4

+$ere remaine" some re%al%i#ran#s in #$e P$il$armoni% w$o were embarrasse" by r#ur/s reli!iosi#y.No one %oul" "eny #$a# a# #imes my $usban" was lau!$able, for $is en#$usiasms in all #$in!s o#$er#$an musi% invariably blurre" #$e boun"ary separa#in! #$e reasonable from #$e e8%essive. %oul"un"ers#an" #$eir unfavorable rea%#ions #o r#ur w$en $e was on #$e %res# of $is reli!ious $i!$. e$a" 0e8perien%es0 ou# of illiam James ; appari#ions an" presen%es of #$e ?ivine even in #$e alleybe$in" &arne!ie all.


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41s# #ree# +$ea#re, NY&. Moon"o! a##$e piano wi#$ a sa8op$one player.

=ne ni!$# r#ur %ame ba%k #o our

apar#men# af#er re$earsin!Ma$ler/s Resurrection(#$e e%on"ymp$ony) an" repor#e" $e $a" foun"wai#in! for $im a# #$e s#a!e "oor as#rikin! $uman bein!, a very #all,$an"some, blin" man wi#$ a lon! bear","resse" in a brown %ape like aran%is%an/s $abi#. 0e looke" like a&$ris#,0 sai" r#ur. 0 was even afrai" fora momen#. u# $e in#ro"u%e" $imself #ome, an" aske" if $e %oul" a##en" are$earsal of #$e Ma$ler. =f %ourse, #ol"

$im #o %ome w$enever $e like".0in%e r#ur "i" no# approve of ou#si"ersa# re$earsals, in%lu"in! me, knew #$a#$e $a" been #ruly move" by #$is personw$ose name was -ouis ar"in. -ouis an"r#ur even#ually be%ame frien"s. n"r#ur, w$ose new reli!ious %on%erns $a"no# erase" $is supers#i#iousness,

believe" #$a# -ouis brou!$# $im !oo" lu%k.$en we foun" #$a# -ouis live" in a %ol" lof# somew$ere, we #rie" #o $elp $im ou# wi#$ some warm%lo#$es. r#ur, w$o never par#e" wi#$ so mu%$ as an ol" slipper, !ave -ouis one of $is sui#s an" a$eavy win#er%oa#, w$i%$ -ouis sol". -ouis was also averse #o s$oes, an" fros#bi##en fee# $e knew well

enou!$. e $a" no#$in! a!ains# seein! a!ain, $owever, an" !la"ly wen# wi#$ me #o visi# a well;known eye spe%ialis#, ?r. Mil#on erliner. va!uely $a" a no#ion #$a# #$e new ar# of %orneal#ransplan#a#ion %oul" salva!e some vision for -ouis. +$e ver"i%# was ne!a#ive. o#$ eyes were #oo$opelessly "ama!e" for sur!ery, $avin! been "es#roye" by an e8plosion w$en, as a %$il", -ouisplaye" wi#$ "ynami#e.-ouis ar"in use" #o be a familiar si!$# on #$e s#ree#s. is usual $aun# was #$e venue of #$emeri%as w$ere, unless $e $as "ie" or move" elsew$ere, $e probably s#ill pa"s aroun" in san"als,$orse;blanke# %ape, an" now a $ea""ress #$a# looks as if %a"!e" from an ol" pro"u%#ion of Die"al#$re. or a %oin, $e will #oo#le a pre##y son! on $is re%or"er, an" !ive all #$e %onversa#ion onewan#s for no#$in!. Mos# people know $im as Moon"o!. is for#unes, su%$ as #$ey ever were,improve" w$en Do""ar" -ieberson re%or"e" some of $is mournful %omposi#ions for &olumbia. =ne of#$em, a son! ma"e ou# of a borrowin! from a ?vorak %$amber pie%e, even be%ame #$e 6ukebo8 $i#0Na#ure oy.0+$e Ma$ler e%on" w$i%$ brou!$# -ouis ar"in in#o our lives, was !iven several beau#ifulperforman%es an" was a $i# wi#$ bo#$ publi% an" %ri#i%s. +$e es#mins#er &$oir appeare" wi#$solois#s ni" 'an#$o an" s#ri" 2arnay. Ma$ler was #$en no# a# all popular. People blan%$e" a# #$e#$ou!$# of a %on%er#;len!#$ symp$ony. f#er #$e +$urs"ay rea"in!, &arne!ie all was pa%ke". Mybo8 $a" people si##in! on #$e low par#i#ions an" s#an"in!. ea#e" besi"e me ; an" i# ma"e #$emomen# a prou" one ; were lma Ma$ler an" $er las# $usban", ran' erfel. Mme. Ma$ler la#erwro#e #o r#ur of $er appre%ia#ion of #$e performan%e, #ellin! $im #$a# $is ren"i#ion was like arein%arna#ion of Ma$ler/s own. +$is #ou%$e" r#ur !rea#ly, for one of $is life;lon! re!re#s was #$a#Ma$ler "ie" before $e ever $a" a %$an%e #o $ear $im %on"u%# any#$in!, le# alone $is own musi%.


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New ork Ti)es "#@# %anuary 8

,dele 9ie+e&'Moondog' 9efines Music in=er)any

o%$um, es# Dermany.or CB years $e was a lan"mark forNew Yorkers. ?e%ke" ou# in a bi''aremo%k;2ikin! ou#fi#, a $orne" $elme#on $is $ea" an" a spear in $is $an",$e s#oo" on #$e %orner of 54#$ #ree#an" i8#$ venue, ma6es#i%allyi!norin! #$e !i!!les an" wise%ra%ks,sellin! $is poems an" %opies of $iss$ee# musi% an" playin! w$a# one%ri#i% %alle" 0"eli%a#e &oplan"es7ue

r$y#$ms0 on weir" ins#rumen#s of $isown "esi!n. e %alle" $imselfMoon"o!, af#er a "o! $e like", an"

was unfailin!ly %our#eous an" pa#ien# wi#$ #$e %urious.l#$ou!$ $an"i%appe" by #o#al blin"ness from an e8plosion w$en $e was 1< years ol", Moon"o!wasn/# 6us# ano#$er one of #$e %ra'ies wan"erin! aimlessly #$rou!$ #$e me#ropolis, bu# a "e"i%a#e"non%onformis# w$o insis#s $e pursue" $is unor#$o"o8 s#ree# life for #$e sake of $is musi%. =ver #$eyears $e a%7uire" a lo# of frien"s, some of #$em wi#$ real %lou# in #$e musi% worl", like r#ur*o"'inski, %on"u%#or of #$e New York P$il$armoni%. owever, repea#e" a##emp#s #o !e# $im off #$es#ree#s an" in#o a more %onven#ional mo"e of life foun"ere" on Moon"o!s/s fier%e pro#e%#ion of $isfree"om.u# Moon"o!, w$ose real name is -ouis ar"in, isn/# s#an"in! on s#ree# %orners anymore. # #$e a!e

of


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firs# $ear" #$e musi% was s$aken %oul"n/# believe #$a# a man w$o %oul" wri#e musi% like #$a#woul" $ave #o live as $e "i". o #$en invi#e" $im $ome.0

41s##ree#

+$ea#re,NY.Moon"o!a# #$epianowi#$ a

sa8op$one player. Ma!ie ?omini% issi##in! besi"e #$e +rimba.

ome is a small #own, =er;rkens%$wi%k,an" -ouis $as been #$ere ever sin%e.0er family 6us# a"op#e" me,0 $e says$appily.

u# Mr. ar"in "i"n/# su%%umb #o%onven#ion en#irely wi#$ou# a fi!$#.0# #ook $er a w$ile #o %onvin%e me,0 $e says of Miss Doebel. 0u# s$e sai" $a" #rie" i# #$e ol" wayfor CB years in New York an" i# never !o# me any pla%e ; w$y no# #ry i# #$e o#$er way for a w$ile.0n" so off %ame #$e $elme# (0symbol of virili#y0) an" away wi#$ #$e spear (0"efen"er of free"om0)an" #$e %apes an" pan#s an" s$ir#s, ma"e ou# of s7uare pie%es of %lo#$. +o"ay Mr. ar"in !ree#s avisi#or in $an";kni# %ap an" swea#er over fas$ionable 6ersey pan#s, al#$ou!$ #$e bear" an" lon! $air,now nea#ly #rimme", remain.Miss Doebel $as !iven up $er s#u"ies as a !eolo!is# an" $as be%ome publis$er, a!en#, pro"u%er an"#rans%riber for #$e blin" musi%ian, w$o %on%eives $is musi% in $is $ea", wri#es i# firs# in raille an"#$en "i%#a#es i# wi#$ pains#akin! slowness #o Miss Doebel.0-ouis an" $is musi% %onsume my life,0 s$e says simply.er "e"i%a#ion an" effi%ien%y $ave pro"u%e" resul#s.l#$ou!$ #$e &olumbia re%or" w$i%$ firs# inspire" $er $assol" 4B.BBB %opies sin%e i#s firs# release in 19


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#apes of $is musi%. #$ir" re%or" is inprepara#ion, an" Mr. ar"in $as an open%on#ra%# wi#$ a newly forme" %ompany%alle" *oof #o pro"u%e a# leas# #wore%or"s a year.is new life $as a""e" a few poun"s #o

$is #all fi!ure an" fles$e" ou# #$eas%e#i% fa%e some, bu# $is musi% $asn/#%$an!e".0 s#ill wri#e basi%ally %onven#ional,%lassi%al %oun#erpoin#,0 $e e8plains. 0fla#ly refuse #o $ave any#$in! #o "o wi#$ele%#roni%s ; "on/# like #$e soun".0u# Mr. ar"in "oes "i!ress a bi# nowan" #$en from #$e s#ri%#ly %lassi%al. -as#year, $e wro#e a number of ma"ri!al;like son!s for a re%or" #$a# $e %alls0/ar# son!s0 (ar"in son!s) ; in#ri%a#e

ins#rumen#als superimpose" a!ains# asimple repe#i#ive melo"y wi#$ #$een!a!in! lyri%s of $is verses, familiar #omany New Yorkers.

Ans+ired 4y 9ecollections

n" $e wro#e 19 mar%$es las# year,inspire" by #$e re%olle%#ions of $is%$il"$oo" in #$e Mi""le es# an" $isprea%$er;fa#$er w$o was an a"mirer ofJo$n P$ilip ousa. e $as #i#le" one of

#$e mar%$es 0a##ery Park,0 a mark of$is fas%ina#ion wi#$ New York "espi#e$is new life in es# Dermany.0New York &i#y was my mo#$er an"fa#$er for CB years.0 Moon"o! sai". 0worke" an" slep# on $er s#ree#s an" a#e

#$rou!$ #$e kin" !enerosi#y of $er people. woul" like #o !o ba%k some"ay ; mos# of all woul" like#o $ave a %on%er# of my musi% #$ere.0 lona Doebel smiles ; i#/s no# in $is imme"ia#e fu#ure, bu# s$e/sworkin! on i#.

9onald Sukenick&

Down and An& Life in the 0nderground! New ork "#7@! +3 85*8"

f#er a w$ile, also be%ame familiar wi#$ #$e s#ran!e fi!ure of Moon"o! in me"ieval;lookin! lea#$er,blanke#, an" 2ikin! $orns, usually s#a#ione" in #$e mi""le of #$e si"ewalk on roa"way or i8#$venue, sellin! s$ee# musi%. Moon"o!, %ra%kpo# %omposer an" inven#or of bi'arre ins#rumen#s su%$as #$e 0oo0 an" #$e 0#rimbas,0 like #$e %lownis$ Puer#o *i%an s#ree# poe# Jor!e ran"on, w$om la#eren%oun#er wi#$ $is #alkin! %o%onu# in #$e as# 2illa!e, #urns ou# #o be a fairly in#eres#in! ar#is#, or sosay #$ose w$o a##en" $is o%%asional roof#op %on%er#s. P$ilip Dlass on%e le# Moon"o! live a# $is pla%ew$en $e $a" now$ere #o !o. #/s no# #$e o""ball 7uali#y of #$ese fi!ures #$a# a##ra%#s me, bu# ra#$er#$e way #$ey #$row #$emselves on #$e mer%y of o#$ers, #$eir wille" "es#ru%#ion of pri"e, self;respe%#,an" even e!o i#self. f you are seekin! "is#in%#ions from #$e a!!ressive e!oism of #$e fif#ies su%%ess%ul#, Doul" an" o"en$eim are espe%ially ins#ru%#ive e8amples.


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Michael S)all! >eter Mikel4ank in est =er)any

New ork has so)ething to howl a4out again * Legendary Street Musician Moondog isBack

=n #$e !ri##y s#ree#s of Man$a##an #$ere on%e live" an e%%en#ri%, $omeless blin" man name"Moon"o!. ?resse" in 2ikin! re!alia, wi#$ $orne" $elme#, spear an" s%ra!!ly bear", Moon"o! was afamiliar New York si!$# for A5 years. e %laime" #o be a %omposer an" poe#. 0ey. ?o!0 or 0Yo.Moonie0 yelle" passersby, swappin! %$an!e for a bi# of bea#nik poe#ry or lis#enin! as $e san! $isson!s w$ile ban!in! on a "rum or s#rummin! $is $omema"e 'i#$er. +$en, in 1934, Moon"o!

su""enly wasn/# #$ere any lon!er. People soon fi!ure" $e $a""ie".

%#ually, an" per$aps more in%re"ibly, $e $a" 6us# !one #o es#Dermany. Now Moon"o!, 3C, $as reappeare" in Man$a##an assu""enly as $e lef# ; #$is #ime as a re%o!ni'e" %omposer an"performer. ollowin! a lea" in an ol" newspaper, or!ani'ers of#$e New Musi% meri%a fes#ival foun" $im in es# Dermany ayear a!o an" arran!e" $is #riump$an# re#urn. +$is mon#$ $eplaye" $is "rum alon!si"e #op avan#;!ar"e musi%ians in a%on%er# a# #$e rooklyn %a"emy of Musi%, an" #$e rooklynP$il$armoni% performe" $is 6a'' an" $is ymp$ony No. 5B. aysMoon"o!, w$o now wears simple robesF 0+$ere/s no !rea#ere8perien%e #$an #o be wan#e".0

ven w$en $e was a si"ewalk fi8#ure immor#ali'e" by %olumnis#al#er in%$ell,Moon"o! was never #$e"roppe";ou# $obo mos#people assume". ewas befrien"e" by 6a''

!rea#s &$arlie Parker (0You an" s$oul" make a re%or"#o!e#$er,0 Parker sai" s$or#ly before $is "ea#$) an" &$arlesMin!us, wi#$ w$om $e on%e playe" a# #$e $i#ney museum.e appeare" on +2 besi"e #$en Mayor Jo$n -in"say, rea"poe#ry wi#$ llen Dinsber! an" 6amme" wi#$ %omposersP$ilip Dlass an" #eve *ei%$. is%ll Is Lonelinesswas even

re%or"e" by Janis Joplin, w$o 0really mur"ere" i#,0 $eremembers. Mos# surprisin! of all, #wo albums of $is a#onal6a'' an" ma"ri!als were release" in 19


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&olumbia, "rew raves an" ma"e #$e %$ar#sE &olumbia $as now release" bo#$ as a &?, an" i# alrea"yranks as #$e mos# re7ues#e" be#ween;s$ows musi% on Na#ional Publi% *a"io.

Moon"o!/s %areenin! %areer $as been %rea#e" by %ir%ums#an%e an" $is own unusual will. e was born-ouis ar"in in >ansas an" raise" in yomin!, #$e only %$il" of an i#ineran# minis#er an" a$ousewife. 0e $a" our own #rou# s#ream,0 $e re%alls. 0 $a" my own $orses.0 u# a# 1


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rooklyn/s Ma6es#i% +$ea#re. # FBB p.m. a more formali'e" %on%er# was s#a!e", alon! wi#$ o#$er%omposers.

Ma##$ias >ern an" Moon"o!

rom 194C #o 1934, ar"in was un7ues#ionably #$e mos# omnipresen# s#ree# personali#y in New York&i#y. =f#en "resse" in 2ikin! re!alia an" o#$er %os#umes, $e immerse" $imself in#o #$e so%ial fabri%of #$e %i#y an" be%ame an in#e!ral par# of #$e ar#is#i%, musi%al s%ene.

is personal a%7uain#an%es an" influen%es are 7ui#e e8#raor"inary, ran!in! from Ja''men, &$arlieParker an" &$arles Min!us #o %lassi%al %on"u%#ors, r#$ur *o"'inski an" -eonar" erns#ein.

# "oes many $ear#s well #o see #$is mul#i;#alen#e" in"ivi"ual finally a%$ievin! a sus#aine" re%o!ni#ionan" su%%ess #$a# in #$e pas# $as been spora"i% a# bes#. # a!e 3C, ar"in is %omin! in#o $is own. ewas

(some wor"s missin! "ue #o #$e in%omple#e %opy of #$e ar#i%le, sorry)

%lose frien", an#$ropolo!is#, lona Doebel.

=n +$urs"ay evenin!, #$e rooklyn P$il$armoni% =r%$es#ra performe" nine Moon"o! %omposi#ions,%on"u%#e" by Moon"o! an" +ania -eon. $en no# %on"u%#in!, ar"in woul" a%%ompany #$e s%oreswi#$ a varie#y of per%ussion ins#rumen#s.

0Paris0, #$e firs# pie%e, $a" i#s worl" permiere in Paris in 19A. +$e CA;bar %$orus was repea#e" four#imes wi#$ %oun#erpoin#s an" a pi%%olo flouris$ in #$e %o"a. +$e #une was wri##en in &an"or in 193C.

0Doo" for Doo"ie0, is a %larine# inspire" pie%e wri##en in $onor of enny Doo"man. n 1951,Doo"man was 7uo#e" as sayin!, 0 fin" Moon"o!/s musi% arres#in!.0

0ir"/s lamen#0, was wri##en in memory of &$arlie Parker, on $earin! of $is su""en "ea#$. ar"in an"Parker of#en 6amme" an" min!le" #o!e#$er in Dreenwi%$ 2illa!e. ir"/s al#o sa8 an" a bari#one sa8"omina#e #$is four par# $armoni'e" fi!ure.

=#$er pie%es were #i#le" 0Presen# for #$e Pre'0 (a #ribu#e #o Ja'' +enor a8op$onis#. -es#er Youn!),0#ampin! Droun"0, 0Passion lower0 an" 0?ark yes0.

0New ms#er"am0 an" 0New York0 finis$e" #$e pro!ram an" evoke" #$e $us#le an" bus#le of #$e %i#yon an e8pansive s%ale.

0New York0 was wri##en in New York in 195. ar"in sai", 0$en wro#e #$e wor"s "i"n/# know#$ey woul" %ome #rue. ran away from all #$e noise so b$or. efore lef# #$ey #ol" me /" be ba%kfor more. o ri!$# #$ey were0

e/re so !la" $e %ame ba%k, an" we/re $opin! #$e ne8# #ime $e re#urns, $e visi#s $is many frien"s in&an"or an" =we!o. ar"in $a" #o re#urn #o Dermany on un"ay, Nov. 19 #o !o on a promo#ional#our of C new &?s of $is musi%.

inF #ran!e +$in!s re appenin! (r$6a$r 199B) p. AB;A1


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%ulie =oodwin

The Story of Louis (ardin also known as Moondog

+$ere/s a %ommon lie, s#ill %ir%ula#in!E i# s#a#es #$a# #$e "ebu# album by Big Brother ,nd The

(olding Co)+any/s "ebu# some$ow "isappoin#s. +$ose of s w$o love" i# in e8ile, unable #o baskin #$eir live power, s#ill fin" an a##ra%#ion in i#s rou!$;s$o" ama#eurism, i#s naive bu# purposefulen#$usiasm. =ne of i#s many $i!$li!$#s was%ll is Loneliness, a roun" ori!inally wri##en by someone%alle" Moon"o!, a %omposi#ion wi#$ su%$ a $ypno#i% form i# "eman"e" fur#$er inves#i!a#ion. Ye#before #$a# was %omple#e ano#$er referen%e appeare", #$is #ime by The >entanglew$o/s"rummer,Terry Co, in%lu"e" a #ribu#e pie%e on #$eir Sweet Childalbum, "e"i%a#in! i# #o a &linde (or# )treet musician.+$e same year, 19ansas on May A


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blanke#s, bran"is$in! a s#aff an" wearin! a 2ikin! $elme# %omple#e wi#$ #usks. I tell t*em it's myay o+ saying no-$e/" reply w$en 7ui''e" abou# $is !arb. y #$is #ime $e/" be!an re%or"in!, an"$a" appeare" on #elevision, bu# Moon"o! live" by be!!in!. It's not degrading,.$e woul" say. /omer&egged and so did 0esus C*rist, It as only t*e Calinists *o ordained t*at no man s*all eat *odoes not or#,.is earlies# re%or"in!s were ma"e for Pres#i!e an" %onsis#e" of #$ree mi";195Bs

releases, Moondog, More Moondogan" The Story of Moondog. +$ere was a pronoun%e" 6a''influen%e on #$ese albums, #$emes w$i%$ woul" %on#inue on #$ree fur#$er volumes, Moondog AndHis Friends(pi%), On The Streets Of New York(?e%%a) an" Moondog And His HonkingGeese(Moon"o! *e%or"s). +$e las# of #$ese $e finan%e" $imself, $ire" #$e players an" sol" #$efinis$e" %opies in #$e s#ree#E i# was $is las# release for several years.

ar"in/s uni7ue posi#ion brou!$# $im %on#a%#s $e mi!$# never $ave o#$erwise ma"e. e me# Marlonran"o w$o, $avin! %omple#e" +$e il" =ne, s#aye" aroun" for a week, a%%ompanyin! Moon"o! in

bars, $o#els an" $is pa#%$. -or" u%kley or ?uke llin!#on woul" pause, speak an" !ive moneyE oneen#erprisin! in"ivi"ual finan%e" a s$ow ma"e up of Moon"o!, -enny ru%e an" +iny +im.

n rankfur#, Januar 1934

No#orie#y, $owever, is no# opulen%e. n $er bio!rap$y of ?iane rbus, Pa#ri%ia oswor#$ "es%ribes #$ep$o#o!rap$er/s brief rela#ions$ip wi#$ #$is #rue e%%en#ri%. )ometimes s*e ould sit it* *im *ile *eate *is supper at a ca+eteria near Carnegie /all, 2)*e p*otograp*ed *im at *is +lea&ag *otel on

"est 44t* )treet- apparently Moondog *ad a i+e and a small &a&y 2Mary and 0une, Diane tal#ed

a&out *is tiny- coc#roac*in+ested room- *ic* *e loed &ecause t*ere ere pigeons +lapping andcooing outside *is indo,.+$e rbus p$o#o!rap$s were apparen#ly never s$own, bu# some#$in! of #$e 19in" =f ?ra!0. JimDuer%io in#ro"u%e" $imself a!ain an" "es%ribe" $ow $e was now a re%or" pro"u%er. Moon"o! sol"$im a %opy of book , an" #$ou!$# li##le more abou# i#. +$e followin! year Duer%io re#urne" wi#$ a&olumbia e8e%u#ive.+$e resul# was Moondogan" Moondog 2, ar"in/s mos# polis$e" works. I am a classicist at*eart-$e pro%laims in #$e liner no#e #o #$e firs#, al#ing *um&ly in t*e +ootsteps o+ !ac*- !eet*oen-"agner and !ra*ms, "it* spear in *and I de+end t*e alues t*ey up*eld against all comers, I am a

tonalist at odds it* all atonalists- polytonalists- computeri5ers etc,# is a remarkable work an" spans #wen#y years of %omposi#ional wri#in!. +$e openin! pie%e, 6*eme,"a#es from 195A an" firs# appeare" on Moondog And His Friends, )ymp*oni7ue o 3, wri##en in1954, was revise" an" s%ore" in 19


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realising t*at t*is ould &e t*e last time e met,# was even#ually performe" live a# +$e 2illa!e+$ea#re in #$e u#umn of 19 (our legsare spo#es o+ a tolegged *eel > %nd your *ips are #no&&ly a;les > 6*e orld as alays on*eels,Musi%ally #$ey soun" like nibbles from a !rea#er pie, in"ivi"ually frus#ra#in! in #$eir brevi#ybu# #o!e#$er #$ey form a won"rous pa#%$work.i8#een of #$e pie%es ori!inally "a#e from Moon"o!/s firs# %omposi#ional spree, an" #$ey in%lu"e !e %/o&o, w$i%$ +$e nse%# +rus# (see #ran!e +$in!s C) in#erpre#e" on #$eir se%on" album obokena#ur"ay Ni!$#. ll A< are arran!e" in su%$ a way #$a# #$ey be!in a# & Ma6or an" %on#inue #$rou!$an" aroun" #$e %$ain of fif#$s, #$rou!$ #$e fla# keys in#o #$e s$arp keys, en"in! a!ain in & Ma6or an"

#$us also %omple#in! a %ir%le.+$e ensemble $erein is mu%$ smaller, si8 plus a lone %on#ribu#ion on #rouba"or $arp. 2iolas,$arpsi%$or"s, re%or"ers an" an%ien# or!an blen" wi#$ ar"in/s won"erful #rimbas, $is #rian!ular "rumupon w$i%$ a %ymbal is e#. &overe" by a pie%e of sof# lea#$er, i#/s #$en s#ru%k by a mara%a #o !iveoff #$a# "is#in%#ive, pulsa#in!, per%ussion soun", $is 0"eli%a#e &opelan"es7ue mo"ern r$y#$ms0, asone %ri#i% $as "es%ribe" #$em.arly in 1934, Moon"o! #ravelle" #o Dermany #o perform a series of ra"io %on%er#s. +$a# $e/" #$ense##le #$ere was ra#$er unsurprisin!. ar"in of#en referre" #o $imself as a =uropean in e;ile? one2+oot in t*e present and one in t*e past,is ima!e was no# merely #$a# of surprise, $e s#u"ie" +$el"ar ""a an" revokin! $is &$ris#ian upbrin!in! in #$e wake of $is blin"in!, be!an embra%in! #$e!o"s an" my#$s of Nor#$ern urope.

Moon"o! an" Posi#ion lp$a, #o%k$olm, we"en 19opf label. Moondog In Europewas


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re%or"e" in 193. H'Art Songsan"A New Sound Of An Od Instru!entfollowe" i# in su%%essiveyears. Meanw$ile, a small sli%e of $is ar%$ive pas# pre%e"e" #$ese in 193< w$en Derman M&H&oralpla%e" #$ree live #ra%ks, re%or"e" C.4.la##/s pie%e /Moon"o! n urope/ firs# publis$e" in u%ke#ful =frains < (19C). everal 7uo#es are #aken from ?iane rbus ; io!rap$y, wri##en by Pa#ri%iaoswor#$ an" publis$e" by illiam einemann in 195.)

ire Maga2ine! May "##" +3 ::*:6 and +3 68

%oel Lewis&Moondog3 , viking conuers New ork

=u# of ell/s >i#%$en $e %ame, #$e %ape" %omposer wi#$ a 2ikin! $elme#. #ravinsky a"mire" $im,&$arlie Parker playe" $is musi%. Julie n"rews san! $is son!s. or AB years $e roame" #$e s#ree#s ofNew York, a 0si"ewalk Mo'ar#0 "rape" in army blanke#s. +$en $e vanis$e" ; Joel -ewis re%oun#s #$ee8#raor"inary s#ory of Moon"o! an" $ow a# las# $e $a" $is "ay. P$o#o %our#esy of ?anny +$ompson.

0Moon"o! Divin! a %on%er# a# M on +$urs"ay Joel, somebo"y is pullin! your le!. Moon"o! "ie"years a!o +$e !uy #$ey !o# #o %on"u%# #$e or%$es#ra mus# be a fake Moon"o! or some#$in! De#real0

+$e semi;soloni% voi%e on #$e o#$er en" of #$e p$one was my ol" boss, ob Por#er. $ile a# %olle!e, mana!e" $is all;6a'' re%or" s#ore in my $ome #own of Nor#$ er!en, New Jersey. $ave %alle" $im inbe#ween re%or"s on $is mornin! 6a'' s$ow on D=HNewark for some insi"e "ope. efore %an askano#$er 7ues#ion, ob %u#s in 0Do# #o !o an" %ue up lmo ope0 &li%k.


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O ea#ri%e re$nn ambur! (1934)

0Moon"o!@ ?i"n/# $e "ie a few years ba%k@0 am a#*u#!ersHNewark/s ns#i#u#e of Ja'' #u"ies speakin! #o ?anMor!ens#ern, "is#in!uis$e" %ri#i% an" "ire%#or of #$is massivear%$ive. Mor!ens#ern, $owever, $as no #$eory of fake Moon;"o!s. ns#ea", $e pulls ou# #wo fol"ers marke" 0M==N?=D0an" %lears a #able spa%e for my resear%$. +$e firs# "ippin! spy is from #$e #abloi" New York n7uirer, "a#e" 9 July, 195


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renowne" for an e%le%#i%ism #$a# a%%ommo"a#es P$ilip Dlass as well as #$e #$ras$ ban" lin" "io#Do". +$inkin! of $im as a near;for!o##en fi!ure, velev was overw$elme" by #$e publi% response#$a# ma"e Moon"o!/s performan%e #$e mos# wi"ely %overe" even# of #$e fes#ival.0Maybe i# #akes New York 15 years #o miss you,0 sai" Moon"o!, obviously en6oyin! all #$e a##en#ion$e was re%eivin!. or New Yorkers w$o remember $im as #$e o""ly noble fi!ure in 2ikin! $elme# an"army blanke#s, $e is a si!nifier of ano#$er epo%$ in #$e life of New YorkE per$aps no !en#ler bu#, a#

leas#, w$ere %ivil life fun%#ione" by an unwri##en %o"e of fair play. Moon"o!/s s#ory, as i# was %overe"in #$e lo%al papers, was abou# #$e free"om of #$e %i#y ; w$ere a man %oul" live an" work on #$es#ree#s if $e %$ose #o.

195C ar#i%le in Colliers#ellsi#s rea"ersF 0Moon"o! "oesn/#$ave #o play on #$e s#ree#s, $u#$e seemin!ly $as no in#en#ionof leavin! #$em. / like #o flaun#%onven#ion/, $e says.0&onven#ion in early 5Bs NewYork is %$asin! #$e /*e"s/ ou# of

&&NY an" #$e publi% s%$ools. #is wai#in! for #$e >orean ar #oen" an" usin! #$e D ill #o buyone small &ape &o" ou# of#$ousan"s risin! ou# of an ol"-on! slan" po#a#o fiel". if#yper%en# of all women aremarrie" by a!e 19 in 195C. +$eres#auran# #$a# people line upfor is +oo#s $oor, w$i%$ serves!uy;#ype foo" an" %a#ers #o #$ebaseball an" bo8in! %row"s.

Moon"o! is #$e ne!a#ion of #$e=r!ani'a#ion Man an", #$erefore, $o# %opy ... a blin" !enius w$o refuses #$e narrow #ie an" s7uarepa" in -evi##own. e %alls $is musi% 0snake#ime0, plays $omema"e ins#rumen#s %alle" 0oo0, 0#rim;bas0 an" 0uni0 an" $an"s ou# poe#ry #$a# some "erisively %all 0Moon"o!!erel0F .Go commercial.-cried t*e prostitutes- in eery calling, >.)ell your soul- &ut sell yoursel+, Get it* it, )top t*estalling,.

+$e #ransforma#ion of one -ouis ar"in, son of an pis%opalian minis#er, in#o #$e s#ree# performer%alle" Moon"o! be!ins on 4 July, 19CA in urley, Missouri. 0 pi%ke" up a "ynami#e %ap on a railroa"#ra%k af#er a floo" an" poun"e" on i#. # e8plo"e" in my fa%e.0 +$e 1


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re%alle", 0an" one "ay r#ur sai"F /-ouie, /" like #o $ave a lon! #alk abou# your %lo#$es/. few weeksla#er, one of #$e violinis#s %ame by an" sai"F /-ouis, you %an/# %ome ba%k #o re$earsals unless you%$an!e your %lo#$es #o a %onven#ional s#yle. +$is is a messa!e from runo :ara#o, #$e P$il$armoni%/smana!er./0 Moon"o!, w$o ima!ine" $imself a 0uropean in e8ile0, refuse" #o %onform #o #$e fas$ion%o"es of #$e or%$es#ral worl" $e aspire" #o an" $ea"e" #owar"s #wo "e%a"es on #$e s#ree#s of NewYork.

-ouis ar"in #ook#$e name Moon"o!in 1943, in $onourof $is "o! ba%k inurley 0w$o use"#o $owl a# #$emoon more #$anany "o! knew of0.n 194, #alk ofa#omi% war %ause"$im #o flee #o #$e

es# &oas#. ema"e i# #o -osn!eles, playe" apiano pie%e a# #$eMillion ?ollar+$ea#re opposi#e?uke llin!#on, bu##$e press %onfuse"$im wi#$ 0Na#ureoy0 ; a novel#y a%#of #$e perio" w$o"resse" like omba

#$e Jun!le oy an"wro#e #$e eponymous son! #$a# Na# >in! &ole ma"e famous. +$e firs# !limmerin!s of freak"om areobvious in #$e $ea"lines from #$a# #our of #$e es# an" Mi"wes#F 0lin", ear"e" pos#le of New?an%e *$y#$m #ar#les Moline0, 0Povo &i#i'ens Dape a# /Moon"o!/ De#up0, an" 0Ma#%$ for Na#ure oyells is Musi% ere0 are a few of #$e #ypi%al $ea"lines.*e#urnin! #o New York &i#y in 1949 an" fin"in! #$a# musi%al bookers were no# in#eres#e" in w$a##$ey #ook #o be ano#$er 0Na#ure oy0, Moon"o! s#ar#e" playin! $is "rums in #$e s#ree#s aroun"+imes 7uare. e soon s$if#e" $is venue #o i8#$ venue aroun" #$e if#ies (#$is venue %$an!e" over#$e years). few blo%ks away, bebop musi% was fillin! #$e %lubs alon! if#y;e%on" #ree#. Moon"o!soon be%ame some#$in! of a %ul# fi!ure for #$e musi%ians w$o playe" alon! 0#$e #ree#0. =ne ni!$#&$arlie Parker "roppe" by Moon"o!/s %orner, $ear" $is "rums an" su!!es#e" #$a# #$ey re%or"#o!e#$erE bu# Parker "ie" soon af#er #$is mee#in!.Moon"o! re%or"e" 7ui#e e8#ensively in #$e perio" be#ween #$e la#e 4Bs an" early 5Bs. +ony%$war#', a youn! au"io en!ineer wi#$ a bulky +elefunken re%or"er, brou!$# Moon"o! #o #$ea##en#ion of pi% *e%or"s, w$o release" a 45rpm P in 195C. Pres#i!e, one of #$e primary"o%umen#ers of bebop, release" #$ree -Ps of Moon"o!/s musi%. +$ese albums, e8#remely rare #o"ay,fea#ure Moon"o!/s 0snake#ime musi%0, (name" be%ause of #$eir o"", 0snakin!0 #ime si!na#ures),per%ussion pie%es an" s#ree# "o%umen#ary re%or"in!s. +$e mos# le!en"ary of #$e la##er is of Moon"o!playin! a flu#e "ue# wi#$ #$e s#eam w$is#le of #$e M ueen Mary.


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y #$e #ime of #$e pi% P, Moon"o! $a" #aken #o wearin! full 2ikin! re!alia. New York was, in #$eearly 5Bs, s#ill a %i#y wi#$ nine "aily papers an" many %olumn in%$es #o fill. e is referre" #o as a0si"ewalk Mo'ar#0 by one %olumnis# an" is %ompare" #o a s#ree# musi%ian in an =rien#al a'aar. ebe%omes some#$in! of an a"6un%# #o #$e bop worl", w$i%$ is, in #$e "ays before lvis, #$e onlyuns7uare s$ow in #own. +$e New York n7uirer "ubs $im 0+$e prop$e# of /#$e pro!ressive 6a''

i"iom/0. +$e $is#ory of $is ni%kname is now a##ribu#e" #o meri%an n"ians, wi#$ w$om (i# is %laime")$e learne" $is "rum #e%$ni7ue. # is even repor#e" #$a# $e #ells repor#ers #$a# $is $ome lan" is0asnak0 (>ansas spel# ba%kwar"). ./o as I to #no t*at nesmen ta#e t*e orld +or grantedA >/o as I to #no t*e nes t*ey deign to print is slantedA., lamen#s Moon"o! in one of $is %ouple#sof #$e perio".Moon"o! a%$ieve" na#ional no#orie#y in 1954 w$en $e sue" "is% 6o%key llan ree" in a G1BB,BBB"ama!e sui# for #$e misuse of $is ar#. ree", w$o is !enerally %re"i#e" wi#$ %oinin! #$e #erm /ro%kan" roll/ an" in#ro"u%in! w$i#e you#$ #o soun"s of bla%k *Q, $a" pro%laime" $imself 0>in! of #$eMoon"o!!ers0 on $is N 0ouse of Moon"o!!ers0 ra"io s$ow an" was usin! #$e Moon"o!ymp$ony as $is #$eme. n ar#i%le publis$e" in Our "orldma!a'ine s$ows a p$o#o of Moon"o!pi%ke#in! on #$e s#ree#s wi#$ a san"wi%$ boar" #$a# pro%laims 0N N*0 an" 0 MM==N?=D0. A4 November, 1954 ar#i%le in #$e New York +imes repor#s on #$e in#ro"u%#ion of

Moon"o!/s musi% as evi"en%e in #$e %our# $earin!sF 0s #$e musi%al melan!e of 6un!le soun"s, plus$armonies #$a# soun"e" like melo"ies from a &$inese mambo an" %la##erin! %$ops#i%ks, poure" froma por#able p$ono!rap$ an" e%$oe" #$rou!$ou# #$e %$ambers, Jus#i%e al#er burie" $is fa%e be$in" a$an"ker%$ief.0 Moon"o! "i", $owever, win $is %ase an" ree" wen# on #o a brief, mer%urial %areerwi#$ou# $is ol" moniker. =nly wi#$ $is re#urn #o New York "i" Moon"o! learn w$a# may $aveinfluen%e" #$e 6u"!e/s surprisin! rulin!F 0!or#ravinsky knew abou# me an" %alle" up #$e 6u"!e an"#ol" $im, /You mus# #ake #$is man seriously, $e/s a fine%omposer/. ma!ine #$a#0

+$ere were o#$ers in a posi#ion #o $elp Moon"o!, bu#

#$e %ri#erion always seeme" #o in%lu"e #$e %as$in! inof $is 2ikin! !arb an" army blanke#s. e appeare" on#eve llen/s +2 s$ow an" $e arran!e" an album ofMo#$er Doose r$ymes for a pre;My Fair LadyJulie n"rews for n!el re%or"s, bu# none of #$is#ransla#e" in#o a 0real0 %areer as a musi%ian. e live" in a series of fleaba! $o#els an" spen# mos# of#$e money $e ma"e on #$e s#ree#s on %opyis#s w$o %oul" #ransla#e $is braille s%ores in#o musi%alno#a#ion. e $a" !one beyon" $is ma"ri!als, per%ussion pie%es an" snake#ime ; $e was "evo#in! $is#ime #o full;blown %lassi%al pie%es wri##en #onally an" in %oun#erpoin#, bu# no or%$es#ra was willin! #oplay $is musi%.

l#$ou!$ $e spen# #$e 5Bs in almos# #o#al isola#ion from o#$er %lassi%al %omposers, in #$e


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refu!ees from #$e oppressiveness of #$e "ominan# serial %omposers, #$ese youn! i%ono%las#s mus#$ave seen #$e ol"er %omposer as a fellow #raveller. Dlass/s use of simple melo"i% rei#era#ion an"*ei%$/s use of mara%as in some of $is works seem #o $ave roo#s in Moon"o!/s %omposi#ions.

Moon"o! was finally affor"e" #$eoppor#uni#y #o re%or" $is %lassi%al musi%

w$en $e was si!ne" #o a &olumbiaMas#erwork %on#ra%# in 19


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e $as $a", $owever, #wo albums of musi% release" in re%en# years, wi#$ a #$ree;&? se# "ue forrelease by a es# Derman label. n a""i#ion, $is #wo &olumbia albums are now available on a sin!le&?, $is firs# Pres#i!e album is available on an#asy/s =J& series an" an ins#rumen#al arran!emen# of#$e folk son! 0Du!!isber!lie"0 was on #$e wiss Pop %$ar#s for #en weeks. n" #o #$e surprise of#$ose pu# off by $is appearan%e, $is pie%es are /s#rai!$#/ enou!$ #o $ave one %ri#i% "ub $im 0a ra"i%al%onserva#ive0.

e wri#es $is pie%es in %$a%onnes, !roun"s an" %anons ; forms !oin! ba%k #o #$e be!innin! ofes#ern $armony. e is an enemy of a#onali#y an" is an unas$ame" wors$ipper of Mo'ar#, a%$ an"ee#$oven. 0+$ere is no su%$ #$in! as ori!inali#y,0 $e assure" me, 0only in"ivi"uali#y an" if you/re#rue #o yourself, you %an/# $elp bu# be "ifferen#.0 n" as #o #$ose w$o see $is musi% as bein! naive orre#ro!ra"e, $e respon"s a bi# %ryp#i%ally, 0?arwin was wron! No# every#$in! wan#s #o rise up $i!$eran" $i!$er. ome wan# #o s#ay ; %all #$a# /levolu#ion/ ; 6us# a"" #$e /l/ #o evolu#ion.0

Moon"o!/ appearan%e a# M/s Ma6es#i% +$ea#re was appropria#ely prefa%e" by a rare bra%e of#orna"oes #$a# rippe" #$rou!$ #$e New York &i#y me#ropoli#an area. e was #$e finale #o an evenin!#$a# fea#ure" %omposi#ions by Jo$n :orn an" u#%$ Morris, #wo musi%ians a# #$e %en#re ofe8perimen#alis# musi%s%enes. e was a%%ompanie" #o #$e s#a!e by $is youn!es# "au!$#er ; w$om $e$a"n/# seen for AB years (an" w$o $a" only learne" of $is appearan%e #$a# mornin! in $er $ome#ownof P$ila"elp$ia #$rou!$ an issue of +ower *e%or"s/ Pulse Ma!a'ine).e was wearin! a re" #uni% over a bla%k velour s$ir# an" $a" a re" wool skull %ap on $is $ea" ; woul"*o"'inski $ave approve" su%$ %asual "ress #o %on"u%# a 5B;pie%e or%$es#ra@ alina, *o"'inski/s

7ui#e;ol" wi"ow was brou!$# #o #$e %on%er# by alimo an" one of Moon"o!/s pie%es on #$epro!ramme, 0?ark yes0, was "e"i%a#e" #o $er.

Moon"o! seeme" un"er #$e spell of #$e musi% $ewas %on"u%#in!, bea#in! #$e bass "rum like #$e%on"u%#or of a *oman !alley s$ip. +$e musi%soun"e" like un"ays/ wor#$ of meri%a ; brassban"s, *oarin! ABs /"ir#y/ sa8op$ones an"me#ronomes embossin! #ime in #$e brains ofrelu%#an# 2an &liburn 6uniors. n a musi% fes#ivalw$ose un"erlyin! #$eme is 0$ow out%an you !e#0,Moon"o! #ook #$a# ima!inary lovin! %up by !oin!ba%k, way ba%k, #o Pales#rina an" snake#imer$y#$ms.is s#an"in! ova#ion was earne" #$a# evenin!E i#

was also #$e in#eres# a%%rue" in a%knowle"!in! a life full of mis%onne%#ions an" $ar" pri"e ; a life#$a# seems #o $ave ri!$#e" i#self wi#$ #$e simple a%# of bein! respe%#e" in one/s #ime for one/s works


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an" a%%omplis$men#s. s $is "au!$#er !en#ly le" $im ba%ks#a!e, $e seeme" a"van%in! in#o #$e%oun#ry of $is $ear#.

+om >la## (Mi##e) mi# Moon"o!, Probe "er P$il$armonia un!ari%a in Marlaus H fromF n#er Na#iones. Derman;meri%an &ul#ural *eview, prin! 1994, p. aroline. is simple melo"ies an" absur" lyri%s,$is plays on wor"s an" seemin!ly naive ima!es, an" no# leas# $is raspin! voi%e, also appeal #oa"ul#s. u# su%$ /'art )ongsplay only a perip$eral role in Moon"o!/s musi%. +$ey are %asual pie%es,more or less wri##en in passin! an" a# o"" momen#s #$rou!$ou# #$e life of #$e 3;year;ol" musi%ian.n #$ese son!s #$e blin" bar" li!$#ly employs #$e same #e%$ni7ues #$a# $e applies in a more ri!i",puris#i% manner in o#$er %omposi#ions.

e %onsi"ers $imself a %lassi%is#. or Moon"o!, #$e supreme#e%$ni7ue in musi% is %oun#erpoin#, w$i%$ $as forme" #$ebasis of %omposi#ion sin%e #$e *enaissan%e, if no# #$e Mi""le!es. Never#$eless, lea"in! avan#!ar"e %omposersrepea#e"ly poin# #o $is influen%e on #$eir work. n" Moon"o!$imself never #ires of %learin! up misun"ers#an"in!sF 0f you#alk #o P$il Dlass $e/ll say, /=$ no, Moon"o!, $e/s #$e lea"erof #$e pa%k/, an" #$a# /m #$e foun"er of minimalism. e an"#eve *ei%$ ma"e up #$e name /minimal/, bu# #$ey a##a%$e"#$e wor" #o me. +$ey use" #o sin! my ma"ri!als w$en we

re%or"e" #$em ba%k in 19


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%$eek, even %$i"es $is %lassi%al forerunners for #$eir appli%a#ion of #$e me#$o". e a%%usesPales#rina, an" even a%$ $imself, of "evia#in! from #$e rules of %oun#erpoin#. n" ye# Moon"o!/smusi% "oesn/# soun" %lassi%al. sin! %lassi%al #e%$ni7ues, $e a%$ieves non;%lassi%al resul#s. +$e mos#pe%uliar #$in! abou# $is works is #$eir r$y#$m. is beau#iful, #imeless musi% ; w$e#$er son!s oror%$es#ral pie%es, %anons or %$a%onnes, ma"ri!als or sui#es ; is always un"erlai" wi#$ "is#in%#iveper%ussion r$y#$ms w$i%$ #$e %omposer $imself "rums ou# "urin! %on%er#s. is works resona#e wi#$

#ra"i#ional Na#ive meri%an r$y#$ms #$a# Moon"o! $ear" as a %$il" w$en $e a%%ompanie" $is fa#$er,an i#ineran# prea%$er, on missions #o n"ian reserva#ions. Moon"o! s#ill likes #o #ell #$e s#ory abou#$ow $e sa# on &$ief Yellow &alf/s lap an" was allowe" #o bea# #$e mi!$#y sun"an%e "rum. n"ianbea#s woul" even#ually be%ome #$e %ru8 of $is musi%.

Moon"o! mi# Marina un" Nora (+om >la##s %$wes#ern) un" ri!i##a, einer reun"in (Mi##e)in Marl

ar"in was born in Maryville, >ansas, on May A


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/3Bs $e remaine" on #$e s#ree#, re%i#in! s$or# poems, performin! %omposi#ions on #$e "rum an" #$e'i#$er, an" sellin! #$em, prin#e" on leafle#s, #o passers;by. as%ina#e" by Norse my#$olo!y, $e s#ar#e"wearin! a 2ikin! %os#ume. =l" p$o#os s$ow ar"in wi#$ a flowin! bear", broa" %ape, lon! spear an""ouble;$orne" $elme#, makin! $im look like a slimmer version of ?ik rowne/s %omi% fi!ure a!ar. n#$is ou#fi# $e be%ame an ins#i#u#ion on #$e s#ree#s of Man$a##an. mon! #$e mos# amusin! ane%"o#es#ol" abou# $im is #$e one in w$i%$ #$e il#on o#el lis#e" i#s a""ress in a e (or#

6imesa"ver#isemen# as 0opposi#e Moon"o!0.

+$ou!$ s%orne" by some passers;by as ane%%en#ri% freak, if no# a %$arla#an, Moon"o!was $i!$ly es#eeme" by o#$er ar#is#s. =n $iss#ree# %orner $e me# musi%ians from #$e NewYork P$il$armoni%, w$o in#ro"u%e" $im #o #$e%on"u%#or r#ur *o"'inski. +$e la##er invi#e"$im #o a##en" #$e or%$es#ra/s re$earsals a#&arne!ie all, w$ere $e learne" a !rea# "ealabou# or%$es#ra#ion an" ma"e #$ea%7uain#an%e of r#uro +os%anini, !or

#ravinski an" -eonar" erns#ein. +o be sure,af#er *o"'inski lef# in 1943, #$e far%i%al 2ikin!impersona#or was no lon!er su%$ a wel%ome!ues# a# &arne!ie all.

Moon"o! also me# #$e 6a'' le!en" &$arlieParker on #$e s#ree#. +$e sa8op$onis#approa%$e" $im an" promp#ly sai"F 0You an" s$oul" make a re%or".0 Parker/s su""en "ea#$,$owever, preven#e" a ir";mee#s;Moon"o!re%or" from ma#eriali'in!. u# Moon"o! was #o%ollabora#e wi#$ o#$er ar#is#s. n 1955, $e

brou!$# ou# a su%%essful re%or" of %$il"ren/sson!s wi#$ Julie n"rews. e also offere" a%on%er# wi#$ &$arles Min!us a# #$e $i#neyMuseum, an" 6oine" llen Dinsber! a# a poe#ryrea"in!. n 19


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0My 1B;year;ol" bro#$er,0 lona re%alls, 0wan#e" Moon"o! #o %ome #o our $ouse for &$ris#masbe%ause $e fel# so sorry for $im. u# none of us "are" #o ask $im. +$en saw a re%or" wi#$ $isor%$es#ral pie%es in a s#ore an" bou!$# i#. $en $ear" #$e musi% for #$e firs# #ime, was move". %oul"n/# believe #$a# someone w$o wro#e su%$ musi% $a" #o live like #$a#. o invi#e" $im $ome.0

$ere $e s#ill lives #o"ay. lona an" $er family were able #o #alk Moon"o! in#o s$e""in! $is 2ikin!apparel for !oo" an" in#ro"u%e" $im #o a normal mi""le;%lass e8is#en%e. +$ey #ook $im un"er #$eirwin! an" ma"e #$eir $ouse in#o a %omposer/s para"ise for $im. lona broke off $er s#u"ies, learne"$ow #o #rans%ribe $is %omposi#ions from raille in#o normal musi%al no#a#ion, an" foun"e" a %ompany#o pro"u%e re%or"in!s of $is works. +$e o%$um -abel >opf *e%or"s, run by >aroline/s paren#s,release" #$ree Moon"o! -Ps in #$e la#e /3Bs. +$en no#$in! was $ear" abou# $im for a lon! w$ile,#$ou!$ Moon"o! %on#inue" #o %ompose #irelessly. +o"ay #$e lis# of $is works amoun#s #o a small bookin i#s own ri!$#.

n #$e las# few years Moon"o! $as ma"e a $i!$ly #ou#e" %omeba%k. s su""enly as $e $a"

"isappeare" from New York, $e reappeare" in 199 a# #$e 1B#$ New Musi% meri%a es#ival a# #$erooklyn %a"emy of Musi%. n a series of performan%es "e"i%a#e" #o New York musi% le!en"s from#$e /4Bs an" /5Bs, some of w$om $e $a" me#personally ; in%lu"in! enny Doo"man, -es#er Youn!,&$arlie Parker an" r#ur *o"'inski ; $e "ire%#e" #$erooklyn P$il$armoni% &$amber =r%$es#ra from $is"rum. +$e me"ia %overa!e %oul" $ar"ly $ave beenmore effusive, an" #$e e (or# 6imes%elebra#e"0Moon"o!/s re#urn0. mme"ia#ely af#er #$e even#,$owever, $e promp#ly re#urne" #o =er;rkens%$wi%k.

Moon"o! mi# +om >la##s +o%$#er Jessi%a, 1934

u# now #$e ball was rollin!, Moon"o! was ba%k on #$emusi% s%ene. is ol" re%or"s were reissue" on &?E #$eDerman press, in%lu"in! Der )piegelan" Die Beit, "i"e8#ensive repor#s on #$e meri%an bar". +$e well;known wiss %$anson sin!er #ep$an i%$er aske" $im#o #ake par# in an ins#rumen#al arran!emen# of #$e#ra"i#ional Guggis&ergLiedE a &alifornia "an%e #$ea#er !roup %rea#e" %$oreo!rap$y #o $is musi%.

New re%or" releases an" o%%asional live performan%es were

soon #o follow. =n #$e o%%asion of $is 35#$ bir#$"ay in 1991,an ensemble was foun"e" by members of #$e Duil" all%$ool of Musi% in -on"on for #$e sole purpose ofperformin! Moon"o!/s %omposi#ions. # is %alle" #$e -on"ona8op$oni7ue an" %onsis#s of nine sa8op$ones wi#$ pianoan" "rum. ollowin! $i!$ly a%%laime" %on%er#s a# #$e#u##!ar# Ja''!ipfel, #$e 199A >assel ?o%umen#a an"elsew$ere, #$e ensemble re%or"e" a &? in a#$, n!lan".n#i#le" )a; pa; +or a )a;, i# was %on%eive" as a #ribu#e #o"olp$e a8, #$e inven#or of #$e sa8op$one, on #$e%en#enary of $is "ea#$. esi"es Moon"o! $imself on $is"rum, prominen# members of #$e ri#is$ musi% s%enepar#i%ipa#e" in #$e pro"u%#ion, in%lu"in! ro%k sin!er Pe#erammill an" "ouble;bass player ?anny +$ompson.


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)a; pa; +or a sa;is an $oma!e by an meri%an livin! in urope #o a 19#$;%en#ury ren%$ ins#rumen#maker w$ose inven#ion woul" $elp "efine #$e soun" of AB#$;%en#ury meri%an musi%, par#i%ularly#$a# of 6a''. +$e &? %on#ains son!s "e"i%a#e" #o #$e sa8op$one players -es#er Youn! an" &$arlieParker as well as #o #$e %i#ies of New York, -on"on an" Paris. # also in%lu"es a pie%e %alle" 0&ui#e0 w$i%$ ; if ne!o#a#ions %urren#ly bein! $el" by lona Doebel are su%%essful ; will be performe"

#$is fall a# #$e uropean &ommuni#y summi# mee#in! in ssen. or Moon"o! no# only %onsi"ers$imself #o be a uropean;meri%an in #erms of $is musi%E $e also #$inks an" feels like one.

ssen;base" er#$ol" >los#ermann is a freelan%e 6a'' %ri#i% an" %on%er# mana!er w$ose wri#in!sin%lu"e #$e re%en# book !lue otes- !lac# Fiction.

aus H fromF +$e un"ay +ele!rap$, A5. Juni 1995

Michael Church

The Moondog Landing

(ow did a 4lind ?ansas kid 4eco)e a co)+oser with a glo4al cultE Michael Church )et thevenera4le Moondog

s forma#ive e8perien%es !o, blin"in! yourself wi#$ "ynami#e ; as a 1


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+$e #one;poems $e re%or"e" in 195< ; re%en#ly re;release" ; refle%# $is ar# in i#s pures# form. $ilear"in kno%ks ou# a !en#le %alypso bea# a# #$e piano, bir"s sin!, an" win" rus#les #$rou!$ bran%$es,

as #$ou!$ a w$ole fores# is risin! an"s$akin! i#self. Japanese woman sin!sa lullaby #o $er %ooin! %$il", w$ile

"rums an" me#al per%ussion surroun"#$em wi#$ a %aressin! %ur#ain of soun".ome #ra%ks se# a%$;like violin solosa!ains# &uban "rummin!, o#$ers are"omina#e" by s#ree# soun"s. +$e auralbeau#ies of a worl" #$a# ar"in %an nolon!er see are %au!$# an" blen"e" wi#$proprie#ary "eli!$#.

$en observe #$a# $is re%en# workresembles a Javanese !amelanensemble, $is brow furrows. 0Damelan

is beau#iful like all #$e bir"s in #$e fores#sin!in! #o!e#$er bu# i#/s no# w$a# %all%ompose". /ve !o# similar effe%#s bypu##in! #$e soun" of marimbas #$rou!$a %ompu#er bu# mine is a #rue%omposi#ion, a 1


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e e8plains #$is, in a way #$a# flies in #$e fa%e of s%ien#ifi% fa%# (over#ones on a plu%ke" s#rin! !o upin pi#%$, never "own), bu# #$a# makes a weir" kin" of mys#i%al senseF 0+$ey say #$a# every soun"#$a# ever was ma"e is somew$ere ou# #$ere, floa#in! aroun" in #$e universe. $erever #$ere/s aplane# wi#$ an a#mosp$ere #$ey %an be $ear". Musi% is #$e one in"es#ru%#ible messa!e.0

?ivine ma"ness@ f so, a very posi#ive an" pro"u%#ive one. $en our %ollo7uy is "one, Do" #$ea#$er sallies for#$ in#o #$e s#ree#s wi#$ a $an" pla%e" #rus#in!ly on #$e s$oul"er of #$e woman $e%alls $is 0eyes0. People s#op an" s#are, an" #$e #raffi% par#s like #$e wa#ers of #$e *e" ea.

aus HfromF n"epen"en# e%#ion +wo, A. Juni 1995

Nick ?i)4erley

Master of the o and the

Tri)4a! e+onent of the dru)*and*ostrich*feather Nick?i)4erley )eets his )usical

hero! Moondog

%an s#ill smell #$e mus#y "amp of#$e basemen# of ?abell/s 6a'' s$opon &$arin! &ross *oa". %an s#illfeel #$a# a"renalin sur!e, known #oall re%or";re#en#ives, w$en youfinally $ol" in your $an"s #$e -Psleeve you/" !iven up $ope of ever

seein!. Now %omes #$a# $ear#;s#oppin! momen# w$en you are%onvin%e" #$e assis#an# willrumma!e everyw$ere beforesayin! $e %an/# fin" #$e re%or" #$a#!oes wi#$ #$e sleeve. u# no, i#/sall ri!$#, #$e re%or" is #$ereE $an" over my poun" no#e an"#ake possession of a %opy of #$elon!;"ele#e" =s7uire-P by NewYork s#ree# musi%ian Moon"o!,w$ose musi% offere" w$a# was

#$en a uni7ue amal!am ofmerin"ian per%ussion, 6a''yriffin!, uropean %oun#erpoin# an"#rouba"our balla"eerin!.

+$a# was nearly CB years a!o.=ver #$e ne8# few years, learn# every #ra%k by $ear#F 0 ?ue#F ueen li'abe#$ $is#le an"amboo Pipe0E 0+u!boa# +o%%a#a0E 0=s#ri%$ ea#$ers Playe" on ?rums0. +$is is #$e soun" of NewYork, some of i# li#erally so. Many of #$e #ra%ks were re%or"e" an #$e s#ree#s w$ere Moon"o! ma"e$is livin! in #$e 194Bs an" 195Bs. ven #$e names of #$e ins#rumen#s $e playe" ; #$e =o (0a#rian!ular, s#rin!e" ins#rumen# s#ru%k wi#$ a %lava0)E #$e +rimba (0a #rian!ular;s$ape" "rum0) ; #ookan ma!i%al si!nifi%an%e.

avin! no i"ea of Moon"o!/s w$ereabou#s, was as#onis$e" w$en, in 19


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playin! $is "rums #o $is "o! in a s$op "oorway. +$en los# #ra%k of $im al#o!e#$er. n 1991, #$e NewYork re%or"in!s /" bou!$# on -P reappeare" on &?, an" assume" #$a# was i#. +$e musi% s#illsoun"e" vibran#ly fres$, bu# Moon"o! was now "i!i#al $is#ory. Per$aps $e was even "ea"F life on #$es#ree# in New York %an/# be easy.

u# no# only is Moon"o! no# "ea", $e is s#ill, a# 39, %omposin! an" performin!, an" $e is in -on"on

for a sin!le %on%er#. +$is was bo#$ a %$an%e #o in#erview $im an", more impor#an#ly, #$e oppor#uni#y#o !e# $is si!na#ure on #$a# ol" -P sleeve.

+$e impor#an# business over, Moon"o!#ells me abou# $is life. e was born-ouis +$omas ar"in in >ansas in 191


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n 195A $e ma"e $is firs# re%or"in!, an P %alle" =n #$e #ee#s of New York. n" life on #$e s#ree#be%ame par# of $is musi%, w$e#$er playin! a "ue# wi#$ #$e $orn of #$e ueen li'abe#$ as i# "o%ke",serena"in! $is "o!, or playin! an" re%i#in! $is poe#ry for #$e frien"s w$o !a#$ere" a# $is pi#%$.0Performin! in "oorways was #$e only way #o presen# my musi% #o #$e publi%, bu# for playin! an #$es#ree#s nee"e" "rums "own %lose #o #$e !roun", so use" #o "esi!n my own ins#rumen#s an" $a" a

%abine#;maker pu# #$em #o!e#$er. n #$ose "ays #$ere wasn/# any an8ie#y abou# #$e rainfores#, an" $a" my ins#rumen#s ma"e ou# of on"uras ma$o!any. s#ill $ave a %ouple of my #rimbas, bu# #$eres# !ave away w$en lef# New York in 1934.0

$a# #ook Moon"o! away from NewYork was an offer from Derman ra"io, #o%on"u%# performan%es of $is work inrankfur#. s #$e &olumbia album wi#$#$e 4B;pie%e or%$es#ra su!!es#e",Moon"o! sees $imself as a %omposer in

#$e uropean #ra"i#ionF 0 feel %loser$is#ori%ally an" %ul#urally #o urope.+$is is w$ere i# all $appene". Ru#S #$emeri%an n"ians are s#ill a bi! pull forme, an" %ombine uropean %lassi%alforms wi#$ #$e "rumbea#s of #$en"ians.0

es#$e#i%ally, Moon"o! is in many waysa %onserva#iveF 0Musi%al mo"ernism is ani!$#mare #$a# will pass, a bi! "e#our#$a# lea"s in#o #$e swamps.0 Ye# $is

%onserva#ism $as %er#ain off;#$e;walli"iosyn%rasies. 0My pie%e Inocationis a1


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Mondog and guests ill &e at t*e ueen =li5a&et* /all- London )=1 at 3pm on 1 0uly,

Moon"o!, *ennes, 19

aus H fromF *esonan%e 2olume 4 Number 1 (1995)($##pFHHwww.l;m;%.or!.ukH#e8#sHmoon"o!.$#ml)

MND= -"#"6 * "###.

a +ortrait 4y ?enneth ,nsell

orn -ouis +$omas ar"in in 191


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Moon"o! was in -on"on in ummer 1995 for an all;#oo;rare oppor#uni#y #o sample $is work livew$en lvis &os#ello/s Mel#"own series a# #$e ou#$ ank "evo#e" a %on%er# #o $is musi%. # was only#$e se%on" #ime Moon"o! $a" visi#e" #$e >, #$e previous o%%asion bein! in 1991 w$en bass player?anny +$ompson se# in #rain a se7uen%e of even#s #$a# even#ually brou!$# #o!e#$er Moon"o!, Jo$narle an" #$e la##er/s sa8op$one s#u"en#s for %on%er#s a# #$e Duil"$all %$ool =f Musi% an"

?ar#in!#on &olle!e. or $is pains, ?anny +$ompson be%ame #$e "e"i%a#ee an" firs# solois# of a%omposi#ion en#i#le" ? or ?anny.

+$e Mel#"own %on%er# %ombine" Jo$n arle/s sa8op$one %$oir, -on"on a8op$oni% (w$o $a"re%or"e" an album of Moon"o!/s musi% wi#$ #$e #i#le a8 Pa8 or a8 in #$e in#erim) wi#$ -on"onrass. +$e %ombina#ion a""e" an as#rin!en#, s$arper snap #o #$e broa" warm#$ of #$e ree"s as #$eensemble maneuvere" #$rou!$ a se# of %omposi#ions w$i%$ re%alle" #$e bi! ban" 6a'' #ra"i#ion. n apro!ramme "rawn lar!ely from #$eir mos# re%en# &?, i! an" (#$e firs# release on Moon"o!/s own+rimba label), Moon"o! an" $is musi%ians %onvin%e" u##erly, wi#$ #$e %onvi%#ion evi"en# in bo#$ #$ewri#in! an" performan%e. $e#$er i# was in #$e !oo";na#ure" bravura of -if# =ff, #$e na!!in!ly$aun#in! #$eme "eploye" as a A5;par# %anon in ea#$ =n +$e ea#$er (wri##en in $onour of bi! ban"lea"er +e" ea#$ w$ile Moon"o! was s#ill workin! on #$e s#ree#s of New York) or in #$e #wis#in! an"

%oilin! lines #$a# "an%e" abou# ea%$ o#$er in s$or# p$rases for #$e "ura#ion of $akespeare &i#y #ow$i%$ #$e low ins#rumen#s a"" a soli", #i!$# pun%$ as #$ey "rop in#o #$e mi8. lsew$ere #$e #en"eryearnin! of +orisa, #$e s#abbe" %$or"s an" un$urrie" pa%e of la%k ole !li"in! above !on! an""rum rolls #o %oales%e abou# #$e "ark, broo"in! #$eme of &osmi%o"e, an" nvo%a#ion /playe" en#irelyon one no#e/ w$i%$ s$if#s r$y#$mi% pa##erns aroun" #$e ensemble ; all impresse" !rea#ly. bove all#$is was ri%$, affirma#ive musi% s#ra""lin! #$e !ap be#ween bi! ban" 6a'' an" #$e %ompose" %lassi%al#ra"i#ion (wi#$ou# on%e su!!es#in! #$e sense of %ompromise #$a# %an manifes# i#self in some +$ir"#ream musi%) #$rou!$ w$i%$ Moon"o! le" $is musi%ians, ei#$er wi#$ $is "rumbea#s or wi#$ $isi"iosyn%ra#i% s#yle of %on"u%#in!F / "on/# use a ba#on, 6us# bea# my $an" on my %$es#. +$emusi%ians seem #o prefer i#E #$ey %an see w$ere #$e bea# s#ops ; w$en your $an" #ou%$es your %$es#; bu# if you use a s#i%k #$ey/re never 7ui#e sure $ow far #$e s#i%k is !oin! #o !o, w$ere #$e bea#en"s./

u# #$is represen#s only one s#ran" of Moon"o!/s a%#ivi#y. e is a prolifi% %omposer w$o brin!s $isin"ivi"ual s#amp #o a number of "ifferen# i"ioms. e $as %ompose" over B symp$onies (only one ofw$i%$ $e $as ever $ear" performe")E numerous %$amber works, son!s an" over #$ree $un"re"ma"ri!als (abou# A5 of #$em #urn up on #$e se%on" volume of $is &olumbiaH& re%or"in!s)E s%oresfor brass ban"s an" s#rin! or%$es#rasE or!an an" piano pie%es (in%lu"in! #$ree volumes of Aansas,in 191ansas spelle" ba%kwar". is real nameis -ouis +$omas ar"in.e s#u"ie" $armony an" %oun#erpoin# a# a musi% s%$ool for #$e blin" an" now in $is spare #ime worksa# lar!e;s%ale or%$es#ra %omposi#ions. e "i%#a#es #$em no#e by no#e #o $is Japanese wife, Maryu'uko $i#ein! ar"in, an" $opes some#imes #o $ear #$em performe".Pie%es $ear" on #$e Mars re%or" are performe" by Moon"o! $imself on ins#rumen#s some of w$i%$are of $is own "evisin!. Moon"o! plays #$e 0uni0, a seven;s#rin!e" 'i#$erE #$e 0u#su0, a ru"imen#arykeyboar" ins#rumen# #une" #o #$e pen#a#oni% s%ale D;;;?; (#$e same in#ervals as #$e bla%k keyson #$e piano)E #$e 0#u6i0, an ins#rumen# wi#$ nine #une" woo"en pe!sE #$e 0oo0, a #rian!ular A5;s#rin!e" $arp, an" #$e sin!le;s#rin!e", bowe" ins#rumen# of Japan, #$e samisen.=n #$ese ins#rumen#s Moon"o! makes musi% w$i%$ $as o"", une8pe%#e" sonori#ies an" e8#remely%omple8 r$y#$mi% pa##erns. e is fon" of 5H4 r$y#$m in 0snake#ime0, a pe%uliar sli#$erin! movemen#$ar" #o "es%ribe an" impossible #o wri#e "own in musi%al no#a#ion.Moon"o! employs 0snake#ime0 in su%$ %omposi#ions as $is lar!e work for voi%es, 0+$e &osmi%on.0 n#$ese more formal pie%es #$e in"i%a#ion is 0+empo "i serpen#e0.

+$e Moon"o! re%or" is uni7ue, in"ivi"ualis#i% musi%, nei#$er primi#ive nor e8#remely sop$is#i%a#e",


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ye# a li##le of bo#$. +$e "isk was re%or"e" by +ony %$war#', a man wi#$ an insa#iable %uriosi#y abou##$e o"" soun"s #o be $ear" in a !rea# %i#y.

=old)ine "##" ,+ril "#

Dean Su2uki

Moondog& Moondog! CBS -M?


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Flas##artetten !racelli#$ey perform works by Moon"o!, of#en au!men#e" by %on#rabass an"#rimbas. Per$aps more #$an #$e o#$er re%or"in!s, #$is one %on#ains musi% w$i%$ is "ark, broo"in!,somber an" evo%a#ive, as one mi!$# e8pe%# from #$e lower members of #$e s#rin! family. s always,#$e musi% is lovely (in fa%#, s#unnin!ly beau#iful a# limes), 7uain#, bu# wi#$ #$a# e8#ra in#an!iblesome#$in! #$a# makes Moon"o! so spe%ial.# $as been a lon! #ime sin%e mos# $ave $ear" any#$in! from Moon"o! an" #$is %olle%#ion of ol" an"

new ma#erial is a real #reasure #rove, sure #o "eli!$# ini#ia#es, a# well as #$ose "is%overin! #$is mos#unusual musi%ian for #$e firs# #ime. (Moon"o! &on"u%#s laskkvar#e##enF ra%elli is available fromaysi"e Musi%, P=


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res#ri%#e" solely #o #$e ma#%$in! of "isor!anise" soun"s ($e "oes, for e8ample, essay a /"ue#/ wi#$#$e ueen li'abe#$/s siren, in nearby New York $arbour) an" #$e or!anise" soun"s of musi%./Moon"o!/, way ba%k #$en, $a" a%$ieve" some %ul# a%%ep#an%e. u# frankly, /m baffle",smo%kraffle", un%$ara%#eris#i%ally !obsma%ke" by i# all. pass.

=old)ine "##" ,+ril "#

Dean Su2uki

Moondog& Moondog! CBS -M?


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is #onal, bu# 7uirky in a mos# won"erful way, of#en wi#$ irre!ular r$y#$ms an" syn%opa#ions.ome pie%es, su%$ as 0ymp$oni7ue No. < (Doo" or Doo"ie),0 "e"i%a#e" #o enny Doo"man, reveala 6a'' influen%e. ppropria#ely enou!$, performers in #$e o#$erwise 0%lassi%al0 symp$ony in%lu"eflu#is# uber# -aws an" bassis# *on &ar#er. Mos# no#able are #$e repe#i#ive #e%$ni7ues w$i%$an#e%ipa#e similar #e%$ni7ues use" by minimalis# %omposers su%$ as P$ilip Dlass an" #eve *ei%$some 1B years la#er.

lso, one fin"s Moon"o!/s si!na#ure per%ussion, w$i%$ is performe" on spe%ially "esi!ne" "rums(0#rimbas0) an" mara%as. +$ese "is#in%#ive "rums, alon! wi#$ a s#ea"y un"erlyin! pulse an"infe%#ious syn%opa#ions, $elp "efine #$e Moon"o! soun". =%%asionally #$e %omposer will re%i#e a li##leverse w$i%$ $e $as wri##en as a prolo!ue #o #$e musi%.Moondog IIis %omprise" of A< brief 0ma"ri!als.0 n fa%#, #$ey are no# like *enaissan%e ma"ri!als,ra#$er #$ey are roun"s or %anons. s wi#$ almos# all of $is musi%, imi#a#ive %oun#erpoin# is #$e formals#ru%#ure #$a# forms #$e basis of Moon"o!/s work. +$e vo%al s#yle, as e8e%u#e" by Moon"o! an" $is"au!$#er, wi#$ plen#y of over"ubbin! #o %rea#e a small %$amber %$oir, is wi#$ou# vibra#o an" %ouple"wi#$ #$e %$armin!, some#imes obs%ure #e8#s an" some of #$e %omposer/s mos# "eli!$#ful musi% ever.nfor#una#ely, & "i" no# see fi# #o repro"u%e #$e musi% an" #e8#s w$i%$ a%%ompanie" #$e ori!inalrelease in #$e form of a beau#iful bookle#.+$e Pres#i!e release, ori!inally re%or"e" in 195


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sin! primarily 5H4 an" 3H4 me#ri% si!na#ures, ar"in $as blen"e" #e%$ni%al wi'ar"ry wi#$ #$e soul ofa $uman ma!i%ian an" %ame up wi#$ #wen#y;si8 (#wen#y;five roun"s plus a beau#iful ins#rumen#al0Pas#orale0 playe" on a solo folk $arp) pie%es of musi% #$a# are %lassi% in feelin! ye# universal in #onean" #e8#ure. i#$ a bow #o Mon#ever"i, #$e %omposer $as #aken #$e simples# of melo"i% lines an",#$rou!$ inversions an" #$e breakin! of a few basi% rules forme" $is own lan!ua!e #$a# %an

%ommuni%a#e on bo#$ #$e mos# basi% an" !ran"es# of $uman levels.

i#$ ?omini7ue Pon#y

s if musi%al a%%omplis$men#s weren/ # enou!$,ar"in $as also "is#in!uis$e" $imself as a veryfine poe#. s %ompare" wi#$ #$e poe#ry #$a#passes for popular lyri%s #o"ay, ar"in/s lyri%sare like #$e mos# "eli%a#e of $aiku. ore8ample, *oun" No. < is 0 love you for your

lovely s#ill small voi%e H an" will love your s#illsmall voi%e H /#il H my voi%e H is s#ill.0 =r *oun"No. 4F 0e$ol" #$e willow bows before me H u#no# #$e oak, /m uproo#in! H remarke" #$ewin".0

ll #$e vo%als are perfe%#ly an" "eli%a#ely $an"le" by ar"in an" $is "au!$#er, June. +$eins#rumen#a#ion is au#$en#i% *enaissan%e pie%es au!men#e" by ar"in/s own pe%uliar per%ussion.

ll is perfe%#, an" #$e album is ma!i%.

aus H fromF $##pFHHmona"no%k.ne#HessaysHo"ysseyVB.$#ml

, Musical dyssey& Assue 74y ?urt ?eefner

MND=! MND=! CBS 9ecords MND= ,ND T(/ LNDN S,J>(NAC! S,J >,JF9 , S,J! ,tlantic 9ecords

rles 1999Moon"o! is an meri%an ori!inal an" vir#ually un%lassifiable. e%ause$e is an e8perimen#alis#, uses lo#s of r$y#$m an" #$rows in #$eo%%asional spoken wor" like a ea# poe#, $e $as some#imes been

promo#e" as if $e were a 6a'' musi%ian. u# al#$ou!$ $e was sli!$#lyinfluen%e" by 6a'', $is musi% "oes no# in%lu"e improvisa#ion, nor "oes$e usually make use of #$e #ypi%al 6a'' ins#rumen#s.

# woul" be easies# #o %lassify $im as %lassi%al, e8%ep# #$a# $e is u##erlyou#si"e #$e %lassi%al mains#ream of $is #imeF $is musi% is #onal an"#en"s #o %ome in small pa%ka!es. n" #$ere/s #$a# r$y#$m a!ain. Ye#Moon"o! is far #oo serious an" "raws #oo mu%$ on 19#$ %en#ury*oman#i% musi% #o be re!ar"e" as pop.

# is #emp#in! #o pu# $im in #$e %a#e!ory of soun"#ra%k musi%. You %an6us# ima!ine $is #wo;minu#e won"ers runnin! be$in" #$e %re"i#s of a movie or a +2;"rama.

ur#$ermore, %lassi%ally;base" soun"#ra%k musi% of#en in%orpora#es 0e8#raneous0 elemen#s liker$y#$m an" #$e o%%asional 6a'' %ombo in#o i#s forms. n" las#ly, one of #$e %omposers mos#influen%e" by Moon"o!, P$ilip Dlass, $as %omfor#ably %rosse" ba%k an" for#$ be#ween re%i#al;pie%es


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an" soun"#ra%k musi% for mos# of $is %areer. owever, #o my knowle"!e, Moon"o! $as never s%ore"a movie or +2 s$ow. o unless we libera#e 0soun"#ra%k musi%0 from i#s fun%#ional moorin!s an" #rea#i# as a free;s#an"in! !enre, Moon"o! "oesn/# !e# in#o #$e "oor. (y #$e way, for a !rea# "is%ussion ofsoun"#ra%k musi%, see enry Pleasan#s/ 19enni# an" #$e orl"HJa'' ban" +ua#ara. Per$aps nee" #o remin" myselfof Norman pinra"/s profoun" "i%#um #$a# 9BX of every#$in! is %rap. #/s 6us# #$a# #$e %rappy par# ofNew !e musi% is so un%#uously marke#e".

$o is Moon"o!@ e was born -ouis ar"in, in Marysville, >ansas, in 191


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Moon"o!, 1994

$a# $ol"s #$is melan!e #o!e#$er is Moon"o!/s un"eniable sense of "rama. Moon"o! %learly "oesno# re!ar" musi% as an a%a"emi% e8er%ise bu# as a means of rousin! #$e spiri#. +$e bes# of $is workun"er %onsi"era#ion is #$e or%$es#ral musi% on 0Moon"o!,0 of w$i%$ $ave #wo favori#esF 0#ompin!Droun"0 uses a full or%$es#ra, smar#ly arran!e", over #ympani (#$ose bi!, #une" "rums use" in some%lassi%al musi%) an" a snare "rum #o buil" up #wo;an";a; $alf minu#es of "rama#i% #ension. # $as a

res#less, mar#ial air w$i%$ i# bo#$ "ispels an" in%reases wi#$ 7uasi;fanfares. 0-amen# , /ir"/s-amen#/0 is a pie%e ar"in wro#e in memory of 6a'' !rea# &$arlie 0ir"0 Parker w$om ar"in knewsli!$#ly. # is a 1F41 #our "e for%eF s#rin!s an" snare "rums be!in wi#$ an insis#en#, repea#e" fi!ure.+$en #wo sa8op$ones, bari#one an" al#o, #$ink, #ra"e p$rases bo#$ 6a''y an" melan%$oly, as if #$eywere par# of a New =rleans musi%al funeral pro%ession. s #$eir e8%$an!es !row more in#ri%a#e, #$eba%k!roun" fi!ure is playe" lou"er wi#$ more an" more ins#rumen#s, a li##le like *avel/s olero. #/s#$e kin" of lamen# a 6a''man woul" wan#.

+$e firs# CB minu#es of #$e &? 0Moon"o!0 is "evo#e" #o #$is fas%ina#in! or%$es#ral work, in#ersperse"wi#$ a %ouple of mer%ifully brief poems or epi!rams. +$e las# 45 minu#es of #$e &? "erives from #$e-P 0Moon"o! A0 an" %onsis#s of A5 ma"ri!als in #$e form of roun"s an" %anons. ere Moon"o! an"$is "au!$#er June sin!, ba%ke" by musi%ians on viola "a !amba, $arpsi%$or", re%or"ers, s$awm an"#$e like. n" per%ussion, of %ourseF mara%as, #ambourines, bells, #$e w$ole works. ome of #$epie%es are in#eres#in! in #$eir r$y#$ms an" in #$e %omple8i#y of #$e musi%, al#$ou!$ #$ey are all #oos$or# #o "evelop properly an" soun" #oo similar #o 0*ow, *ow, *ow Your oa#0 #o be of #$e $i!$es#%aliber. ll #$e wor"s %an make ou# are insipi" an" are sun! in #$a# $i!$, brea#$y, almos# lispy*i%$ar" &arpen#erHMason illiams vo%al s#yle so popular in #$e early 3Bs. #ill, #aken in small "oses,#$ese pie%es are in#ri!uin! an" a wor#$w$ile makewei!$# #o #$e or%$es#ral work.

+$e &? 0a8 Pa8 for a a80 is one of #$ose !ra%ious #ribu#es #$a# lu%ky ar#is#s re%eive in #$eir #wili!$#years, an inven#ive revisi#in! of #$e bes# work wi#$ par#i%ipa#ion by #$e %omposer as $e is able. Doneis ar"in/s in#ri%a#e per%ussion, ins#ea" $e !ives us a s#ea"y bea# from #$e bass "rum. +$e !roup $ea%%ompanies is an a" $o% ou#fi# %alle" #$e -on"on a8op$oni%, %onsis#in! of up #o nine sa8op$ones,a%ous#i% bass (playe" by ?anny +$ompson) an" a snare "rum, #ympani or piano. +$ree of #$e pie%esin%lu"e vo%als, w$i%$ are "roll, an" in#eres#in!ly "elivere" by a %$orus wi#$ no solo sin!er. +$e

%$orus %onsis#s par#ly of #$e ban" an" is no# a bun%$ of skille" par#;sin!ers. $en #$ey sin! i#remin"s me of w$en Jo$n &ol#rane an" $is merry men mumble;%$an# 0 -ove upreme0 al#$ou!$


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i#self in#o. /ll save #$e main "is%ussion of #$is issue for a la#er ="yssey %overin! P$ilip Dlass, bu# i#/sni%e #o know #$a# a blin" busker from >ansas %an $elp se# off a revolu#ion in musi%. n" no, /m no#!oin! #o #ell you w$a# a busker is. Do look i# up.

>hil aldorf

*e%or" *eviewsMoon"o!F a8 Pa8 for a a8 (#lan#i%)

($##pFHHwww.fla!pole.%omHssuesHB1.A.9H*eviews.$#ml)

# is #$e early 19insent


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i#$ lona ommer

MND=& May (is Feet ?ee+ alking

R=bviously #$e followin! was wri##en a# a #ime w$en Moon"o! was s#ill alive an" $is fee# were s#illwalkin!. las an" ala%k, $e is wi#$ us no more.S

Moon"o!F i! an" wi#$ #$e -on"on rass an" -on"on a8op$onia, Pro"u%e" by Jo$n arle+*M B1BB1; &?

re%en# re%or"in! from #$a# mo"ern %omposer maveri%k, s#ree# person an" all;roun" won"erful$uman bein! Moon"o!, aka -ouis ar"in. Yes, Moon"o! is s#ill alive, an" yes, $e %on#inues #opro"u%e beau#iful, life;affirmin! musi% of %$armin! simpli%i#y. is works s#ill bear #$e influen%es ofi! an" 6a'', for e8ample #$e syn%opa#e" r$y#$ms, a s#ea"y bass "rum pulse (usually playe" byMoon"o! $imself) an" wa#er;#i!$# %$ar#s for #$e $ornsE an" $e %on#inues #o "isplay $is fon"ness for

#urnin! one simple musi%al p$rase in#o a *oun". or #$is re%or" i! an" $e is a"mirably serve" by#$e #alen#s of #wo -on"on brass ensembles. +$ey are le" an" pro"u%e" by #$e es#imable Jo$n arle,a four;eye" well;"resse" fellow w$o $as #oo#le" $is soprano sa8 in many a %on#e8#, be i# versions ofearly musi% like Jo$n ?owlan" or arran!emen#s of Ders$win for #$e %lassi%al;li#e se#. +$is pro"u%#ionis also splen"i"ly re%or"e", so you !e# #$e full blas# of #$e brass w$ammin! in#o your fa%e as surelyas if your w$ole bo"y $a" been poure" like warm milk in#o #$e bell of ea%$ !ol"en ins#rumen#.veryone w$o $ears i! an" en6oys an imme"ia#e sense of well;bein! an" inner $armonyE slam on#$e firs# #ra%k /las# =ff/ an" 6us# wa#%$ your spiri#s soar+$is i#em was %ryin! ou# #o be pur%$ase" af#er #$e rare even# of seein! Moon"o! live (wi#$ #$e sameensembles an" arle, playin! mos# of #$e same se#) a# #$e ou#$ ank in -on"on in ummer 1995.+$is was par# of lvis &os#ello/s /Mel#"own/ es#ival. No ma##er your opinion of &os#ello ($e seems #oa##ra%# severe %on#emp#) you mus# nee"s #ip your #rilby in $is "ire%#ion for pullin! off #$is $is#ori%

Moon"o! %oupE apparen#ly $e $as only playe" in -on"on on%e before No# a soul in #$e au"ien%e waslef# un#ou%$e" by #$is performan%eE besi"es #$e power of #$e musi%, #$ere were $is #ou%$in! remarks#o #$e au"ien%e, revealin! li##le !limpses of $is life on #$e s#ree#s, $is poli#i%al views, $is musi%al


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%areer, $is loves. n" $is e%%en#ri%i#yF $ol"in! up a per%ussion ins#rumen#, $e sai", /+$is is several$un"re" pe%an s$ells, in an ol" so%k/ Jo$n arle $elpe" $im off;s#a!e as we !ave our s#an"in!ova#ion (for #$ose w$o "on/# know, Moon"o! is blin"), an" Moon"o! a%knowle"!e" $ol"in! alof# $is"rums#i%k in salu#e, a bea#ifi% smile emer!in! from $is w$i#e w$iskery fa%e. +$e waves of emo#ionaffe%#e" us all. People in #$e au"ien%e were %ryin!.s you probably know, Moon"o! re%or"e" albums for & in #$e la#e 19 & ansas on May A


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no musi% pa%ka!e" before or sin%e so won"erfully s$rou"e" in #$e perfe%# blen" of mys#ery, my#$,o""i#y, an" po#en#ial;!enius.

/ve been obsesse" wi#$ Moon"o! for

years, bu# i# wasn/# un#il aroun" 1mon#$s a!o #$a# ever $ear" any of $ismusi%. $a# love" so mu%$ abou#Moon"o! was #$a# pi%#ure. Yea$, #$a#one, #$e one ri!$# up #op. use" #os#are a# #$a# pi%#ure an awful lo# in#$ose ol" re%or" sleeves from albums 0borrowe"0 from my paren#s. +$ere%ame a #ime in my %$il"$oo" w$en re%o!ni'e" #$a# no# all of my paren#s/re%or" %olle%#ion was $orribly lame.

+$ere was some s#uff by #$e ea#les,#evie on"er, ?ave rube%k, an"&$i%a!o +ransi# u#$ori#y. i#$ all of#$ese re%or"s woul" be a sleevea"ver#isin! o#$er albums on #$e samelabel, presumably so you %oul" sen"away for #$em. Many were by ban"s knewE a# leas# $alf seeme" #o be by%ome"ian lip ilson or e8o#i% %roonerslike &$arles 'navour or Jose eli%iano.u# some woul" be for s#ran!e a%#s /"never even $ear" of. $a#/s #$is, a

ban" %alle" 0ar0 from #$e pea%e an"love ooper@ s$e like li%e &ooper@ n" w$a# on ar#$is #$is Moon"o! !uy@@@ woul" askol"er frien"s an" 0$ip0 #ea%$ers w$oseeme" #o remember musi% #$a#pre%e"e" Mi%$ael Ja%kson/s 0+$riller0 or+$e oss.

Mos# people $a" kin"a $ear" ofMoon"o!, bu# no one $a" a%#ually $ear"

$is musi%. No s#ore $a" Moon"o! albums. fel# like was on #$e ver!e of "is%overin! a -eonar"

:eli!. ll $a" was #$a# one %ra'y pi%#ure. was #$erefore %onvin%e" #$a# Moon"o! was #$e !rea#es#,mos# impor#an# an" #rans%en"en# musi% ever. =f %ourse, a# #$is poin#, was fas# be%omin! %onvin%e"#$a# any#$in! #o "o remo#ely wi#$ #$e


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of op$ie/s &$oi%e. or years, Moon"o! always !o# pu# on #$e $eap.

ven#ually spoke wi#$ someone w$o $a" a%#ually $ear" a Moon"o! album. e sai" i# wasn/# ro%k a#all. (p un#il now $a" 6us# assume" Moon"o! was psy%$e"eli% a%i";ro%k.) e sai" Moon"o! waskin"a like ba%k!roun" musi%, wi#$ an or%$es#ra, bu# kin"a messy an" %$oppyE no# really wor#$spen"in! money on.

+$en, a li##le less #$an #wo years a!o, New York ?J 2in %elsa playe" a real $oppin!, #$un"erousbrass #une. # was like $earin! #$e Min!us i! an" playin! P$illip Dlass. e even#ually ba%kannoun%e" i# as a new (new@) %omposi#ion by -ouis ar"in, an" #$en "are" $is ol";far# lis#eners #o%ome up wi#$ ano#$er name for #$is !uy. # was Moon"o!

*emember Moon"o!@ ?i"n/# we all !e# s#one" ba%k in #$e ansas in 191


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#$is, an" in#ersperse" #$rou!$ i# all is s#ree# noise, ambien# soun", #raffi%, non;ins#rumen#s 6us#be$avin! in a woul";be musi%al fas$ion. +$e %laim is #$a# i# was all wri##en "own. &yni%s woul" say i#was %er#ainly wri##en "own;;by a blin" man

n ro%k #erms, one %oul" %all early Moon"o!, a# i#s bes#, mu%$ like #$e be!innin!s an" en"s ofpopular psy%$e"elia of #$e


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$im a# leas# $ear" of $im) is s#a!!erin!, !iven 6us# $ow un%ommer%ial $is musi% is. # is ap$enomenon #$a# will never be repea#e", !iven #$e spe%iali'a#ion of musi% marke#in! #o"ay. +$e way#ren"s an" sub%ul#ures are pi!eon$ole" means #$ere is no more room for s#ree#;walkin!, poe#ryspewin! 2ikin!s w$o ban! blo%ks #o!e#$er an" vibra#e li##le pie%es of s#rin! over lus$ or%$es#ra#ion.n" i#/s a %ryin! s$ame. #$ink.

Moon"o! (-ouis +. ar"in), %omposer, ea# poe# an" s#ree# musi%ian, "ie" in Mns#er, Dermany, onep#ember a!e" C. e was born in Marysville, >ansas, on May A


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orl", as well as "is#in%#ly more e%%en#ri% works su%$ as a "ue# for bamboo flu#e an" #$e w$is#le of#$e liner ueen li'abe#$.

+$e firs# of ar"in/s many 0"is%overies0 %ame w$en #$e "is% 6o%key lan ree" a"op#e" $is Moon"o!ymp$ony as a #$eme #une. ar"in "e#erre" $im wi#$ le!al a%#ion, bu# %on#inue" #o make o%%asional"is%s, in%lu"in! arran!in! an album of Mo#$er Doose son!s for Julie n"rews an" re%or"in! $is

influen#ial 19ansas, #$e son of an pis%opal minis#er, Mr. ar"in !rew up in yomin!. e los# $is eyesi!$#af#er a "ynami#e %ap #$a# $e foun" on #$e railroa" #ra%ks blew up in $is fa%e w$en $e was 1


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roll.0n #$e early 19


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Sun sets for Moondog! 4lind )usician who )ade Tier ho)e

By Connie Nogas#aff ri#er

Many +io!a &oun#y resi"en#s s#ill remember #$e #all man wi#$ a lon!, flowin! !rey bear" w$o wore a$orne" $elme#, $el" a spear an" s#oo" on =we!o/s si"ewalks as $e wai#e" for #$e bus #o New York&i#y.

$a# some of #$em "i"n/# know was #$a# $e was an a%%omplis$e" pianis# an" per%ussion musi%ianw$o %ompose" an" re%or"e" musi% for five "ifferen# re%or" labels. Janis Joplin #urne" one of $isson!s ll s -oneliness in#o a $i#. You %an s#ill $ear #$e musi% of -ouis 0Moon"o!0 ar"in in moviesoun" #ra%ks as well as ra"io an" #elevision %ommer%ials.

0 $ear li##le snippe#s of $is musi% in movies, publi% ra"io,0 sai" $is frien" , Mike Dula%$ok of =we!o.

ar"in, C, w$o live" in &an"or from 195 #$rou!$ 1934, "ie" las# week in a $ospi#al in Muns#er,Dermany. e leaves be$in" memories of Moon"o! en%oun#ers like #$e one &an"or psy%$i% P$il Jor"an$a" in #$e early 19an., $e a"op#e" #$e ni%kname Moon"o! af#er a pe# "o! w$o baye" a# #$e moon.$en $e was 1


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Ma!ie ?omini%, &$arles Diuliano, Dallery ?ire%#or, 19


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=lenn CollinsLouis -Moondog. (ardin! 78! Musician! Dies

+$e !aun#, blin" musi%ian known as Moon"o!, w$o was %elebra#e" amon! New Yorkers for #wo"e%a"es as a mys#erious an" e8#rava!an#ly !arbe" s#ree# performer bu# w$o wen# on #o win a%%laimin urope as an avan#;!ar"e %omposer, %on"u%#in! or%$es#ras before royal#y, "ie" e"nes"ay in a$ospi#al in Muns#er, Dermany. e was C.

+$e %ause was $ear# failure, sai" a frien", lona ommer. ?ay in an" "ay ou#, #$e man w$o wasori!inally name" -ouis +. ar"in was as #a%i#urn an" un%$an!in! a lan"mark of #$e mi"#ownMan$a##an s#ree#s%ape as #$e Deor!e M. &o$an s#a#ue in ?uffy 7uare. rom #$e la#e 194Bs un#il #$eearly 193Bs, ar"in s#oo" a# a##en#ion like a sen#inel on venue of #$e meri%as aroun" 54#$ #ree#.

No ma##er #$e wea#$er, $e invariably "resse" in a $omema"e robe, san"als, a flowin! %ape an" a$orne" 2ikin! $elme#, #$e #an!ible e8pression of w$a# $e referre" #o as $is 0Nor"i% p$ilosop$y.0 #$is si"e $e %lu#%$e" a lon! spear of $is own manufa%#ure.

Mos# of #$e passers;by w$o "ismisse" $im as 0#$e 2ikin! of i8#$ venue,0 offerin! $im %on#ribu#ionsan" buyin! %opies of $is musi% an" poe#ry, were unaware #$a# $e $a" re%or"e" $is musi% on #$e &,Pres#i!e, pi%, n!el an" Mars labels. ar"in/s 6a'';a%%en#e" %omposi#ions, !enerally s%ore" for smallwin" an" per%ussion ensembles, of#en a%$ieve" a flowin!, #onal symp$oni% s#yle.

=ne of $is son!s, 0ll s -oneliness,0 be%ame a $i# w$en re%or"e" by Janis Joplin. e wro#e musi% forra"io an" #elevision %ommer%ials, an" one of $is %omposi#ions was use" on #$e soun"#ra%k for #$e193A movie 0?rive, e ai",0 wi#$ Ja%k Ni%$olson.

lon! #$e way, ar"in wro#e o$emian broa"si"es a!ains# !overnmen# re!imen#a#ion, #$e worl"mone#ary sys#em an" or!ani'e" reli!ion. e was %elebra#e" by ea# Denera#ion poe#s an" la#e;19


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Moon"o!, Pier *ea"in!s, 19an., on May Aansas &i#yE a "au!$#er, June ar"in, an" ano#$er "au!$#er, w$ose name an"w$ereabou#s #$ey "i" no# know.


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n #$e en", ar"in finally yiel"e" #o Mrs. ommer/s %oa8in! an" !ave up $is 2ikin! ou#fi#s. e $a"refuse" #o al#er $is "ress %o"e even w$en, as an aspirin! %omposer, i# provoke" $is evi%#ion from #$eP$il$armoni% re$earsals.

0u# s#ill love $orne" $elme#s an" swor"s an" spears,0 $e sai" in a 199 in#erview. 0 like #o feel

#$a# /m loyal #o my pas#. woul"n/# wan# #o be on #$e s#ree# anymore. u# you know, #$a# le" #o alo# of #$in!s.0

aus H fromF +=P MD:N ($##pFHHwww.#opma!.%o.ukHar%$iveHaprBBHweir".$#ml)

elf #au!$#, blin" minimalis# %omposer MND=(aka -ouis ar"in) #ook up $is pen name in1943 in $onour of a pe# "o! 0w$o use" #o $owl a# #$e moon more #$an any "o! knew of0. +$usbe!an a lon! musi%al %areer w$i%$ saw #$e %omposer release $is musi% on su%$ labels as runswi%k,Pres#i!e an" &olumbia before movin! #o Dermany w$ere $e even#ually passe" away in ep#ember1999. Moon"o! is probably bes# remembere" for #$e #wo albums $e re%or"e" for &olumbia in #$e/=P label, fourof w$i%$ $ave 6us# been reissue". n urope fea#ures $is work for s#rin! 7uar#e#, , New Soundf ,n ld Anstru)ent is $is $aun#in! e8plora#ion of #$e pipe or!an, w$ile /l+)asfea#ures environmen#al r$y#$ms an" !en#ly ro%kin! marimbas. 7ually e8$ilara#in! is Sa >a For ,Sa, one of Moon"o!/s las# works w$ere $e is 6oine" by #$e -on"on a8op$oni% Mass in a#ribu#e #o sa8 inven#or "olp$e a8 on #$e %en#enary of $is "ea#$. ere #$e en#wine" spiri#s of ir"an" -es#er Youn! %an be $ear" wailin! in a work #$a# is reminis%en# of ar"in/s 19


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an" #$e Mars labels. Moon"o!/s ll s -oneliness be%ame a $i# for Janis Joplin. e also wro#e musi%for #elevision an" ra"io %ommer%ials an" $a" a %omposi#ion on #$e soun"#ra%k of Ja%k Ni%$olson film/?rive, e ai"/.Moon"o! lef# #$e s#ree#s of New York in 1934 af#er bein! invi#e" #o Dermany for re%or"in!s an"performan%es of $is symp$oni% musi%. Deremany be%ame $is base w$ere $e was a%%laime" for%on%er#s in Paris, #o%k$olm an" all over Dermany re%or"in! a series of albums. n 199 $e re#urne"

#o New York #o %on"u%# #$e rooklyn P$il$armoni% &$amber =r%$es#ra.?r. *ober# %o##o, professor of n!lis$ a# aru%$ &olle!e, &i#y niversi#y of New York $as wri##en an,as ye#, unpublis$e" bio!rap$y %alle" 0Moon"o!F +$e 2ikin! of i8#$ venue0. ?r. *ober# %o##o is7uo#e" as sayin! 0i#$ou# 7ues#ion, $e was #$e mos# famous s#ree# person of $is #ime, a $ero #o a!enera#ion of $ippies an" flower %$il"ren.0-ouis /Moon"o!/ ar"in aka Moon"o! "ie" in $ospi#al in Muns#er Dermany on ep#ember #$, 1999.e was C.

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